What aspect is necessary to establish causation in a negligence case?

Establishing causation in a negligence case is fundamentally about demonstrating a direct link between the breach of duty and the damages that were suffered. This means showing that the actions or inactions of the defendant directly contributed to the injury or harm experienced by the plaintiff.

In a negligence claim, the plaintiff must provide evidence that not only was the defendant negligent, but that this negligence resulted in specific damages. This relationship is often articulated through the "but-for" test—meaning that but for the defendant's actions, the plaintiff would not have experienced the damages.

The focus on linking the breach to the damages underscores the importance of establishing a clear, causal pathway between the defendant’s negligent behavior and the resulting harm, which is essential for the plaintiff to succeed in a negligence lawsuit.