Law of Torts
Topic 8 – Causation
,In this session:
• Factual Causation
• Apportioning Liability
• Legal Causation
• Approaching Causation
Issues
, Causation
Factual Legal
Role of Breach Necessary Cause Operative Cause
Examined by “But For” Test Chain of Causation/Remoten
Multiple Potential Causes
Problems Breaks in the Chain of
Material Contributions Other
Causation
Unjust Results
, What does it mean to cause
something?
This might seem simple, but any event has numerous causes
If you get hit by a car, the driver of that car has caused you harm. But you
also caused it by walking where you were. A delay in leaving your house
caused you to be in that place at that moment.
What if you were chased into the road by an attacker? What if you were
chasing your pet dog to keep them off the road? Who caused the harm?
Topic 8 – Causation
,In this session:
• Factual Causation
• Apportioning Liability
• Legal Causation
• Approaching Causation
Issues
, Causation
Factual Legal
Role of Breach Necessary Cause Operative Cause
Examined by “But For” Test Chain of Causation/Remoten
Multiple Potential Causes
Problems Breaks in the Chain of
Material Contributions Other
Causation
Unjust Results
, What does it mean to cause
something?
This might seem simple, but any event has numerous causes
If you get hit by a car, the driver of that car has caused you harm. But you
also caused it by walking where you were. A delay in leaving your house
caused you to be in that place at that moment.
What if you were chased into the road by an attacker? What if you were
chasing your pet dog to keep them off the road? Who caused the harm?
