Intervening Cause
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In law, an intervening cause, also known as novus actus interveniens meaning a new intervening act, is an event that occurs after the defendant's initial act or omission, and contributes to the plaintiff's injury or damage. An intervening cause can be an act of nature, the conduct of a third party, or any other event that is not caused by the defendant but contributes to the plaintiff's harm.
An intervening cause may or may not break the chain of causation between the defendant's actions and the plaintiff's harm. If the intervening cause is foreseeable and the defendant's actions were a substantial factor in causing the harm, then the defendant may still be held liable for the harm.
For example, if a person negligently leaves a fire burning in their yard and a strong wind causes the fire to spread to a neighbouring property, the wind may be considered an intervening cause. However, if the wind was a foreseeable event, the person who started the fire may still be held liable for the damage caused by the fire.
An intervening cause may or may not break the chain of causation between the defendant's actions and the plaintiff's harm. If the intervening cause is foreseeable and the defendant's actions were a substantial factor in causing the harm, then the defendant may still be held liable for the harm.
For example, if a person negligently leaves a fire burning in their yard and a strong wind causes the fire to spread to a neighbouring property, the wind may be considered an intervening cause. However, if the wind was a foreseeable event, the person who started the fire may still be held liable for the damage caused by the fire.
