liable / adhesive
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liable
Legally responsible for damage, loss, or a debt that has occurred and required to pay for it or make good on it.
Der Geschäftsführer kann für die Schulden des Unternehmens persönlich haftbar gemacht werden.
The managing director can be held personally liable for the company's debts.
The adjective 'haftbar' (liable/adhesive) is derived from the verb 'haften'. 'Haften' can mean both 'to be legally responsible' and 'to stick', just like the adjective.
Eltern haften für ihre Kinder.
Parents are liable for their children.
The legal meaning is by far the most common. It is used in legal and business contexts. The meaning 'klebend' (adhesive/sticky) is very rare and more technical.
Bei einem Unfall ist der Verursacher für den Schaden haftbar.
In an accident, the person responsible is liable for the damage.
The most important construction is 'für etwas haftbar sein' (to be liable for something) or 'jemanden für etwas haftbar machen' (to hold someone liable for something). The preposition 'für' (for) with the accusative is fixed here.
Man kann ihn für den finanziellen Verlust nicht haftbar machen.
You can't hold him liable for the financial loss.
responsible
'verantwortlich' and 'haftbar' can both mean that someone has to answer for a mistake or damage. However, 'verantwortlich' is more general: you can be responsible for a task, or be the cause of a problem. 'haftbar' is narrower and sounds legal. It means that someone has to pay for damage, a loss, or a debt, often with money. Learners may confuse the words because you can be 'verantwortlich' for something and also 'haftbar'. In practice: for tasks, you usually say 'verantwortlich'; for legal consequences and compensation for damages, 'haftbar' is more likely.
Der Fahrer ist für den Schaden am Mietwagen haftbar.
The driver is liable for the damage to the rental car.
Im Team ist Mehmet für die Planung des Termins verantwortlich.
On the team, Mehmet is responsible for planning the appointment.