Dictionary
intervening cause
something that happens between the first event in a sequence and the end result, and in so doing changes the natural course of events that might have connected a wrongful act to an injury or loss.
The intervening cause breaks the chain of causation between the defendant and claimant.
Other
- (LATIN) novus actus interveniens
Phrase Bank
- An intervening cause relieves a defendant of liability.
- The third party act constitutes an intervening cause.
- The doctor's negligence is an intervening cause of the plaintiff's injury.
Additional Notes
- If an intervening cause is strong enough to relieve the wrongdoer of any liability, it is known as a superseding cause.