Legal Studies 3040

Section 1: What is Negligence?


Proximate Cause and Actual Harm or Loss

Lawyers in negligence cases speak of the proximate cause of an event — the direct cause of a person's loss or injury. If a cause is too far removed, it can't be considered the event's proximate cause.


Conclusion

In this lesson, you have looked at the basic elements that must be present if negligence is to be established. Summed up, these are
  • a duty of care

  • a standard of care

  • a genuine harm or loss

  • direct connection between the negligence and the loss


Check your knowledge by completing Something to Think About 5 on the next page.