Intervening Cause

What is Intervening Cause?

An unforeseeable and independent tortious event that occurs after a tortfeasor's initial act of negligence; it is a "superseding cause" when it cuts off causation between the original wrongful act and the harm to the plaintiff, and itself becomes the direct and immediate cause of the injury.

Further Reading

For more detailed information, see our related Torts terms:

• Superseding Cause
• Breach of Duty
• Loss of Earning Capacity
• Proximate Cause

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Stephanie Bagnall

Licensed Attorney and Legal Researcher

Stephanie Bagnall is a Georgia-licensed attorney and legal researcher with experience in accessibility law, compliance, employment law, and legal writing. She helps develop and review BarPrepHero's Legal Terms content for clarity, accuracy, and usefulness to bar exam students.

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