proximate cause

Definition of "proximate cause"
  1. An event that directly leads to an injury or damage, and is the main reason why the injury or damage occurred. This event must be proven in court to win a lawsuit based on negligence or misconduct
How to use "proximate cause" in a sentence
  1. In a car accident case, the court found that the driver's excessive speed was the proximate cause of the pedestrian's injuries.
  2. Despite the manufacturing defect in the heater, the jury ruled that the owner's ignoring the recall notice was the proximate cause of the house fire.
  3. The restaurant faced a lawsuit after a customer slipped on a wet floor, alleging that their failure to put up a caution sign was the proximate cause of the accident.

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