Eggshell Plaintiff | AZ Law Now Glossary
Damages

Eggshell Plaintiff

Also known as: thin skull rule

What it means

The legal rule that a defendant takes the plaintiff as they find them. If a plaintiff has a pre-existing vulnerability that makes injuries worse, the defendant is still liable for the full extent of the harm.

Arizona context

Arizona follows the eggshell plaintiff rule. A defendant can’t reduce damages by arguing the plaintiff was unusually fragile or had a pre-existing condition.