foreseeability
Definition
Foreseeability is a legal concept that asks whether a reasonable person could have predicted that a certain action or situation might cause harm to someone else. Courts use this idea to decide whether a business owner should be held responsible for damages, because you can only be liable for outcomes you reasonably could have seen coming. If a harm was completely random and unpredictable, you generally cannot be blamed for it.
Example
If you run a coffee shop and spill boiling water on a customer, a court would say the injury was foreseeable because everyone knows hot liquid burns people. You would likely be held responsible for that customer's medical bills.
Watch Out
Even if you never intended any harm, a court can still hold you liable if a reasonable business owner in your position should have predicted the risk and taken steps to prevent it.
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This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.