What does proximate cause refer to in legal terms?

Proximate cause is a key concept in legal discussions, particularly in negligence cases. It refers to an event that is sufficiently related to a legally recognizable injury so that the courts deem it to be the cause of that injury. In this context, the correct answer—indicating that proximate cause is a chain of events after which liability ends—is significant because it emphasizes the limitations on liability in law.

In the case of proximate cause, once the chain of causation is established, the law typically restricts liability to those harms that directly result from an action or event that could have reasonably been foreseen. If the chain of events extends too far or involves unforeseen consequences, the original actor might not be held liable. This principle helps create a boundary for legal claims, ensuring that individuals are not held responsible for results that are too indirect or attenuated from their actions.

Understanding proximate cause helps clarify the relationship between cause and effect in legal scenarios, ensuring that liability is assigned appropriately without extending it to every possible consequence of a given action.