Zone of Risk
Definition
A concept in negligence actions that imposes a duty of care on an actor whose conduct creates a foreseeable risk of harm to others. The actor owes a duty to either lessen the risk or take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of those within the “zone of risk,” meaning those subject to a foreseeable risk of harm as a result of the actor’s conduct. (Note that this concept differs from “zone of danger,” which refers to a test applied in some jurisdictions to determine when a person may recover for negligent infliction of emotional distress.)