What is the function of foreseeable intervening causes in tort law?

In tort law, foreseeable intervening causes refer to events that occur after a defendant's negligent act which contributes to the harm suffered by the plaintiff, but are predictable or anticipated as part of the chain of events initiated by the defendant's actions. The essence of the correct choice is that such intervening causes typically do not relieve the defendant of liability as long as the harm caused was a foreseeable result of their original negligent conduct.

When an intervening cause is deemed foreseeable, it suggests that the defendant's actions were a substantial factor in bringing about the eventual injury. The courts recognize that while intervening causes can impact the causal chain, they may not sever the connection between the defendant's conduct and the plaintiff's injury, particularly if the intervening act was a natural progression of the situation created by the defendant.

Thus, the defendant may still be held liable if the overall harm was within the scope of risks that their negligent behavior created. This principle helps to ensure that plaintiffs have a fair opportunity to recover damages when their injuries are a consequence of a defendant's earlier negligence, even if subsequent events played a role in causing those injuries.

This understanding allows the law to address complex situations where multiple factors contribute to a plaintiff's harm, maintaining a balance between accountability for