What is general causation in the context of tort law?

General causation refers to the concept that establishes whether a particular substance or action has the capability to cause a specific type of harm or disease in the general population. In tort law, this is critical in personal injury cases, particularly those involving toxic torts or product liability, where the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant's conduct, product, or substance can lead to the injury or illness claimed.

For instance, if a plaintiff alleges they developed a disease due to exposure to a chemical, they must first establish general causation by showing that the chemical is known to cause that disease in others. This is separate from specific causation, which would involve linking the exposure directly to the plaintiff's condition.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of general causation. The legal term referring to actual damages pertains to the monetary compensation a plaintiff seeks, not the causal connection between an act and a harm. The severity of a plaintiff's injury relates to the damages awarded rather than the relationship between a substance and a disease. Finally, while proving liability in negligence involves demonstrating causation, general causation is specifically about establishing the broad potential for a substance to cause harm, not about the specifics of negligence or liability itself.