Foreseeable Risk Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Foreseeable Risk, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Foreseeable Risk?

(n) Foreseeable risk is the anticipated danger expected by a person of reasonable senses, based on his knowledge, experience or assumptions, as the result, outcome of an action.

History and Meaning of Foreseeable Risk

Foreseeable risk is a legal term that has been used for centuries, and it refers to a situation in which a person or business should have been able to predict that a particular action or inaction could lead to harm or injury. In other words, if someone could have reasonably anticipated that their actions would cause harm, they are responsible for that harm. Essentially, foreseeable risk is a way for our legal system to hold people accountable for their actions and to encourage them to behave responsibly.

Examples of Foreseeable Risk

  1. A hotel that is located in an area prone to earthquakes would be expected to take measures to reduce the risk of injury or death if an earthquake were to occur, such as securing heavy furniture to the walls to prevent it from falling on guests.
  2. A driver who is texting on their phone while driving is creating a foreseeable risk of causing an accident.
  3. A theme park that creates a roller coaster that is not properly maintained would be creating a foreseeable risk of injury to their patrons.

Legal Terms Similar to Foreseeable Risk

  1. Negligence - Failure to take reasonable care when doing something that can result in harm or injury to others.
  2. Liability – The legal responsibility for something, often due to a breach of legal duty or obligation.
  3. Reasonable care – The level of caution and attention that a reasonable person should take in order to prevent harm to others.