How is "causation" established in negligence claims?

In negligence claims, the establishment of causation is crucial and is primarily achieved by linking the breach of duty to the plaintiff's injuries. This means that the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant's conduct, which constituted a breach of their duty of care, directly resulted in the harm suffered by the plaintiff.

Causation in tort law is often divided into two components: actual cause (or cause-in-fact) and proximate cause. Actual cause is determined through the "but-for" test—meaning that but for the defendant's actions, the plaintiff would not have suffered the injury. Proximate cause pertains to whether the injury was a foreseeable result of the defendant's actions. In this scenario, linking the defendant's breach of duty directly to the injuries sustained solidifies the foundation of causation required in negligence cases.

Thus, establishing causation goes beyond merely showing the defendant's lack of harm intention or previous conduct; it requires a clear and demonstrable connection between the defendant’s negligent act and the resulting harm to the plaintiff.