In tort law, what is 'causation'?

Causation in tort law refers specifically to the relationship between a defendant's actions and the harm suffered by the plaintiff. It establishes that the wrongful act committed by the defendant directly led to or caused the injury or damage experienced by the plaintiff. This connection is crucial for the plaintiff to establish liability, as it proves that the defendant's conduct was not only wrong but also a significant factor in causing the harm.

While the other choices introduce relevant concepts in tort law, they do not accurately capture the essence of causation. Physical damage from an accident is more about the outcome than the relationship between action and harm. The failure to prevent an injury suggests a negligent act but does not explicitly cover the cause-effect link needed for causation. Similarly, the responsibility of the injured party touches on comparative negligence or liability issues but does not define causation itself. Therefore, the correct understanding of causation is rooted in establishing that the wrongful act directly resulted in the harm incurred.