Which of the following is the causal link in fact between breach and injury called?

Which of the following is the causal link in fact between breach and injury called?

• A. Duty
• B. Proximate cause
• C. Cause in fact
• D. Damages

Answer: (C)

The main concept being tested is causation in fact, the actual link between a breach and the resulting injury. Causation in fact is shown by the but-for test: the injury would not have happened but for the breach. Put differently, if the breach did not occur, the injury likely would not have occurred. This is a factual connection, not a policy or foreseeability question. This differs from proximate cause, which considers whether the connection is legally recognizable and appropriate to hold someone liable, often focusing on foreseeability and policy limits. Duty and breach establish the obligation and its violation, while damages are the actual harm suffered. Because the question asks for the actual causal link between breach and injury, the correct concept is cause in fact.

The main concept being tested is causation in fact, the actual link between a breach and the resulting injury. Causation in fact is shown by the but-for test: the injury would not have happened but for the breach. Put differently, if the breach did not occur, the injury likely would not have occurred. This is a factual connection, not a policy or foreseeability question.

This differs from proximate cause, which considers whether the connection is legally recognizable and appropriate to hold someone liable, often focusing on foreseeability and policy limits. Duty and breach establish the obligation and its violation, while damages are the actual harm suffered. Because the question asks for the actual causal link between breach and injury, the correct concept is cause in fact.