What characterizes a superseding cause?

A superseding cause is a subsequent event that interrupts the chain of causation between the defendant's original act and the eventual injury suffered by the plaintiff. By effectively breaking this chain, the superseding cause can relieve the original defendant of liability for the harm that occurred. This concept underscores the importance of analyzing whether the intervening event was so significant that it eclipsed the original act, thereby making it the primary cause of the injury.

In legal terms, for an event to be considered a superseding cause, it must arise after the defendant's negligent act and must be an independent force that contributes to the injury in a significant manner. This is a crucial distinction in tort law because it determines whether the original defendant can still be held liable or whether the responsibility shifts entirely to the new cause.

Understanding this principle is essential in tort law as it helps delineate the boundaries of liability and whether a defendant's actions can be deemed the proximate cause of the injury when a new, intervening event has occurred. By emphasizing the breach in causation, option B accurately encapsulates the defining characteristic of a superseding cause.