Legal Definitions - proximate consequence

A proximate consequence refers to an outcome or result that directly and foreseeably follows from an initial event or action, particularly one that was negligent or wrongful. For a consequence to be considered "proximate," there must be a clear, unbroken chain of events linking the initial action to the final result, without any significant, unexpected intervening causes that would break that chain. Essentially, it means the harm suffered was a natural and probable result of the original act, and not too remote or disconnected.

Here are some examples illustrating this concept:

• Imagine a construction worker negligently leaves a large, heavy tool unsecured on a high scaffold. A strong gust of wind blows the tool off the scaffold, and it falls onto a pedestrian walking below, causing a severe head injury.

  • How this illustrates the term: The severe head injury to the pedestrian is a proximate consequence of the construction worker's negligent act of leaving the tool unsecured. There is a direct and foreseeable chain of events: unsecured tool + wind = tool falling + injury. The injury is a natural and probable result of the worker's initial negligence.

• Consider a restaurant owner who repeatedly ignores health code violations, such as storing perishable food at unsafe temperatures. As a result, several customers who eat at the restaurant contract severe food poisoning and require hospitalization.

  • How this illustrates the term: The food poisoning and subsequent hospitalization of the customers are proximate consequences of the restaurant owner's negligent disregard for health and safety regulations. The unsafe food handling directly led to the illness, establishing a clear and unbroken causal link.

• A homeowner fails to properly maintain their backyard fence, allowing it to fall into disrepair. One day, the fence collapses, and their dog escapes through the opening, running into the street and causing a driver to swerve to avoid it, resulting in a minor car accident.

  • How this illustrates the term: The car accident is a proximate consequence of the homeowner's negligence in maintaining the fence. The unmaintained fence directly led to the dog's escape, which in turn directly led to the driver's evasive action and the accident. The sequence of events is direct and foreseeable.