Intervening cause

Definition

An intervening cause is an event that occurs after the initial act but before the final result, which can affect the outcome of a situation or injury. It can be important in determining liability, as it may break the chain of causation, meaning the original actor may not be held responsible for the end result if the intervening cause is deemed to be a superseding factor. This concept highlights how multiple factors can contribute to an outcome, complicating the legal analysis of causation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. An intervening cause can either be foreseeable or unforeseeable, impacting whether it breaks the chain of causation.
2. If an intervening cause is deemed unforeseeable, it may absolve the original actor from liability since they could not have predicted the subsequent event.
3. Courts often look at both the nature of the intervening cause and its relation to the initial act when determining liability.
4. Examples of intervening causes include natural disasters, criminal acts by third parties, or independent actions taken by victims.
5. Understanding how intervening causes work is crucial in negligence cases, where establishing a clear line of causation affects legal responsibility.

Review Questions

• How does an intervening cause influence the determination of liability in a negligence case?
  • An intervening cause influences liability by potentially breaking the chain of causation between an actor's initial negligent action and the resulting harm. If an intervening event occurs that is deemed significant enough, it can shift responsibility away from the original actor. Courts will evaluate whether this intervening cause was foreseeable and how it relates to both the negligent action and the final outcome.
• Discuss the difference between an intervening cause and a superseding cause in legal contexts.
  • An intervening cause refers to any event that occurs after an initial act but before the final outcome, while a superseding cause is a specific type of intervening cause that completely relieves the original actor of liability. The key distinction lies in whether the intervening event was foreseeable; if it's unexpected and significant enough, it may be classified as superseding. This classification impacts whether or not the original party remains liable for damages.
• Evaluate how understanding intervening causes can shape legal strategies in personal injury cases.
  • Understanding intervening causes can significantly shape legal strategies in personal injury cases by affecting how attorneys argue causation and liability. By identifying potential intervening causes, attorneys can either mitigate their client's responsibility or argue against claims of negligence. This analysis can lead to different litigation tactics, such as emphasizing unpredictability in events or focusing on establishing strong proximate causation links to support their position. Ultimately, a nuanced grasp of this concept allows for more effective representation and case outcomes.

Related terms

proximate cause: Proximate cause refers to an event that is sufficiently related to a legally recognizable injury to be held as the cause of that injury.

superseding cause: A superseding cause is a specific type of intervening cause that is so significant that it relieves the original actor of liability for the resulting harm.

causation in fact: Causation in fact is a test used to determine if a defendant's actions actually caused the harm, typically assessed through the 'but for' test.