Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Company

Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Company is a landmark 1928 legal case that established the principle of foreseeability in negligence. Helen Palsgraf was injured when a man attempting to board a train was helped by railroad employees and caused a package with fireworks to fall, explode, and harm her. The court ruled that the railroad was not liable because the injury was not a foreseeable result of their actions; their duty of care did not extend to unpredictable, indirect consequences. The case highlights that a defendant is only liable for harms they could reasonably foresee.