Which rule states that payments made to a plaintiff by outside sources are not credited against the liability of a tortfeasor?

The correct rule that states payments made to a plaintiff by outside sources are not credited against the liability of a tortfeasor is the Collateral Source Rule. This legal principle holds that a tortfeasor cannot reduce their liability by showing that the injured party received compensation from other sources, such as insurance or government benefits. The rationale behind this rule is to ensure that a tortfeasor cannot benefit from the plaintiff’s foresight in securing insurance or other forms of compensation.

By keeping the tortfeasor's liability intact regardless of the compensation received from outside sources, the Collateral Source Rule promotes fairness and encourages victims to seek all available forms of support following an injury. Torts law operates under the principle that defendants should bear the full consequences of their actions, and this rule helps to uphold that principle.

Options that mention insurance payments or comparative fault suggest consideration of external factors that could reduce a defendant's liability, which is contrary to the fundamental idea of the Collateral Source Rule. The Negligence Liability Rule isn't a recognized term that corresponds with the principles governing damages and liability in tort cases, making it less relevant in this context. Therefore, the Collateral Source Rule is the best answer as it directly addresses the specific scenario of outside