An event that occurs after the defendant's negligent act and contributes to the plaintiff's harm. A superseding intervening cause breaks the chain of proximate causation and relieves the original defendant of liability. However, foreseeable intervening causes do not break the chain - the original tortfeasor remains liable. Courts consider foreseeability, the nature of the intervening act, and whether it was a natural response to the situation.
Related terms
Causation — The third element of negligence, requiring proof that the defendant's breach was both the actual cause (cause-in-fact) and…
Proximate Cause — A limitation on liability requiring that the harm suffered must be within the scope of risk created by…
Superseding Cause — An unforeseeable intervening cause that breaks chain of causation and relieves original defendant of liability. Must be independent…
Foreseeability — Central concept in both duty and proximate cause analysis, limiting liability to foreseeable consequences and foreseeable plaintiffs. Under…
Actual Cause — The 'but for' causation requirement in negligence. Plaintiff must prove that but for the defendant's breach of duty,…
Go deeper
3 worked examples, 5 exceptions, landmark cases, flashcards, issue spotting and the interactive mind map for Intervening Cause are available with a free account.