The third element of negligence, requiring proof that the defendant's breach was both the actual cause (cause-in-fact) and the proximate cause (legal cause) of the plaintiff's harm. Actual cause is typically proven using the 'but-for' test, while proximate cause limits liability to foreseeable harms.
Related terms
Actual Cause — The 'but for' causation requirement in negligence. Plaintiff must prove that but for the defendant's breach of duty,…
Proximate Cause — A limitation on liability requiring that the harm suffered must be within the scope of risk created by…
But-For Test — Primary test for actual causation: but for the defendant's conduct, would plaintiff's harm have occurred? If answer is…
Substantial Factor Test — Alternative causation test used when multiple forces combine to cause harm, each alone sufficient. Defendant's conduct must be…
Foreseeability — Central concept in both duty and proximate cause analysis, limiting liability to foreseeable consequences and foreseeable plaintiffs. Under…
Superseding Cause — An unforeseeable intervening cause that breaks chain of causation and relieves original defendant of liability. Must be independent…
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