Intervening Cause in Law

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of an intervening cause in a sequence of incidents?

To determine the proximate cause of an injury
To establish the actus reus in a wrongful act
To connect a wrongful act to a certain harm
To change the natural course of incidents that could have connected a wrongful act to a certain harm (correct)

Which of the following is a characteristic of an intervening cause?

It comes between the initial incident and the end result (correct)
It is a direct cause of the harm
It is a concurrent cause of the harm
It is a superseding cause of the harm

What is the purpose of the but-for test in determining causation?

To determine the proximate cause of an injury
To determine whether an intervening cause exists
To establish whether the harm would have occurred but for the defendant's actions (correct)
To establish the actus reus in a wrongful act

What is the difference between an intervening cause and a superseding cause?

A superseding cause is a type of intervening cause that completely breaks the chain of causation (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of proximate cause in determining liability?

It is the cause that sets in motion the chain of events that leads to the harm (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of an intervening cause on the original actor's liability?

It relieves the original actor of liability for the result. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of cause is an intervening cause likely to override?

Original cause (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of an intervening cause in a liability scenario?

To relieve the original actor of liability (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome when an intervening cause overrides the original cause?

The original actor is relieved of liability for the result. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of an intervening cause in a causation analysis?

To break the chain of causation (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is an intervening cause that is foreseeable?

A responsive intervening cause (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which test is used to determine if the defendant's act is a cause-in-fact of the harm?

The but-for test (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between an intervening cause and a concurrent cause?

An intervening cause is a separate cause that occurs after the defendant's act, while a concurrent cause is a simultaneous cause (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the proximate cause test?

To determine if the defendant's act is a legal cause of the harm (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result if an unforeseen intervening cause breaks the chain of causation?

The defendant is not held liable for the harm (D) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Intervening / Superseding Cause

An incident that interrupts the sequence of events between the initial incident and the final outcome, altering the natural course of events.
Can break the connection between a wrongful act and a resulting harm.
If sufficient, can override the liability of the original actor, relieving them of responsibility for the outcome.