What is distinct about proximate cause in tort law?

Proximate cause in tort law is primarily concerned with the foreseeability of harm. This concept helps determine whether the defendant's actions can be legally connected to the injury suffered by the plaintiff. In assessing proximate cause, courts evaluate whether the injuries that occurred were a foreseeable result of the defendant's conduct. If the harm was foreseeable at the time of the defendant's actions, it is likely that proximate cause will be established.

In contrast, actual cause, also known as "cause in fact," refers to whether the defendant's actions were the actual cause of the injury, which is distinct from the parliamentary analysis of foreseeability inherent to proximate cause. Proximate cause does not strictly apply only to negligence; it can also be relevant in intentional torts and strict liability cases. Additionally, the inquiry into proximate cause does take into account the type of harm suffered, as the specific injuries need to be of a kind that a reasonable person would foresee as a result of the defendant's actions. Therefore, the focus on foreseeability as a distinct aspect of proximate cause makes option B the correct choice.