What does "proximate cause" determine in a negligence case?

"Proximate cause" is a crucial concept in negligence cases as it establishes the direct link between an individual's actions and the resulting injury or harm that occurs. It serves to determine whether the injuries sustained were a foreseeable result of the defendant's conduct. Essentially, for a negligence claim to be successful, it must be shown that the defendant's actions were not only a cause of the injury but also a reasonably foreseeable consequence of those actions.

This aspect of proximate cause focuses on establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship, ensuring that the injury would not have occurred "but for" the defendant's actions. If this direct relationship can be adequately proven, it supports the assertion that the defendant should be held liable for any damages resulting from their negligence.

Other options, while relevant to different aspects of legal analysis, do not pertain directly to the fundamental purpose of proximate cause in establishing liability in negligence cases.