Definition
Proximate cause is the legal concept that connects a defendant's negligent act to the plaintiff's injury — the defendant's conduct must have been a substantial factor in bringing about the plaintiff's harm.
In California Personal Injury Cases
California uses the 'substantial factor' causation standard (CACI 430) rather than the older 'but-for' causation standard in most multi-cause personal injury cases. The defendant's negligence is a cause of the plaintiff's harm if it was a substantial factor in bringing about that harm. When multiple causes contribute to an injury, each sufficient cause is a proximate cause even if the injury would have occurred from the other causes alone.
California Law Context
California personal injury law applies this concept within the framework of pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 1975), the two-year statute of limitations (CCP Section 335.1), uncapped damages for non-malpractice injuries, MICRA for medical malpractice, the Government Claims Act for government entity defendants, and the full spectrum of California personal injury legal standards across vehicle accidents, premises liability, product liability, workplace accidents, and wrongful death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Proximate Cause in California personal injury law?
Proximate cause is the legal concept that connects a defendant's negligent act to the plaintiff's injury — the defendant's conduct must have been a substantial factor in bringing about the plaintiff's harm.
How does Proximate Cause affect a California personal injury claim?
California uses the 'substantial factor' causation standard (CACI 430) rather than the older 'but-for' causation standard in most multi-cause personal injury cases. The defendant's negligence is a cause of the plaintiff's harm if it was a substantial factor in bringing about that harm. When multiple causes contribute to an injury, each sufficient cause is a proximate cause even if the injury would have occurred from the other causes alone.
How does this concept apply differently across the major personal injury categories in California?
Proximate Cause applies with some variation across California personal injury categories. In vehicle accident cases, it operates within the negligence and negligence per se framework governed by the California Vehicle Code. In premises liability, it interacts with the Rowland v. Christian duty of care standard. In product liability, it applies within Greenman v. Yuba Power Products strict liability. In medical malpractice, it must be evaluated alongside MICRA's specific rules for the medical professional context. Understanding how Proximate Cause applies to your specific injury category is essential to evaluating your California personal injury claim.