Thus, to answer the legendary question posed by Lloyd Christmas from Dumb and Dumber, “So, you’re telling me there’s a chance?” for summary judgment, the answer is “Yes.”  With that said, the stars must very much align to put a defendant in a position to obtain a summary judgment order, holding the intervening and superseding act (or acts) operate to preclude recovery by the plaintiff as a matter of law. 1 NOTE WELL: Insulating negligence, also referred to in North Carolina case law as intervening or superseding negligence, Barber v. Constien, 130 N.C. App. So, what is the recipe for success for a defendant seeking summary judgment in an intervening and superseding act case? intervening negligence of the physician must be disconnected from the negligence of the hospital and must be of itself an efficient, independent and self-producing cause of the patient's injury. causing the injury. There are three varieties of intervening acts. In these jurisdictions intervening cause describes any cause that comes between a defendant's conduct and the resulting injury, and an intervening cause that relieves a defendant of liability is called a superseding cause. Hurd v. Williamsburg Cty., 363 S.C. 421, 611 S.E.2d 488 (2005); Rush v. If the original negligence continues to the time of the injury and contributes substantially thereto in conjunction with the intervening act, each may be a proximate, concurring cause for which full liability may be imposed. In a superseding intervening cause action, just as in a regular negligence action, there are two parts to determining legal cause. Intervening cause — An intervening cause is a potential defense to the tort of negligence, if it is an unforeseeable, and therefore superseding intervening cause, rather than a foreseeable intervening cause.For example, if a defendant had carelessly spilled gasoline … Wikipedia This website is for informational purposes only. All Rights Reserved. In other words, a superseding cause is an intervening act that is legally sufficient to transfer blame for the harm in question from the defendant to a third party, or to a natural event. A superseding cause is an unforeseeable intervening cause. In other words, an unforeseeable or improbable intervening cause will constitute a superseding cause, and will allow a defendant to escape liability. Let’s look at an example of this. Copyright © 2020 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo ® Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. This is the biggest difference between an intervening cause and a superseding cause. superseding cause n. the same as an "intervening cause," or "supervening cause," which is an event which occurs after the initial act leading to an accident, and substantially causes the accident. Results achieved on behalf of clients do not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients. “An intervening act will be deemed a superseding cause and will serve to relieve defendant of liability when the act is of such an extraordinary nature or so attenuates defendants negligence from the ultimate injury that responsibility for the injury may … A superseding cause disrupts the causal chain because the link between the defendant’s conduct and … Stegmaier welcomes your questions at (803) 255-0454 or [email protected]. causing the injury. An intervening cause may break the connection between the injury and the defendant’s action, and thus destroy a negligence claim. A superseding cause, also known as an “intervening cause,” may be proven to have substantially caused the accident. 1997) (citing Young v. Tide Craft, Inc., 270 S.C. 453, 242 S.E.2d 671 (1978); see also Bramlette v. Charter–Medical–Columbia, 302 S.C. 68, 393 S.E.2d 914 (1990) (ruling primary wrongdoer’s action is legal cause of injury if either intervening act or injury itself was foreseeable as natural and probable consequence of that action); Stone v. Bethea, 251 S.C. 157, 161–62, 161 S.E.2d 171, 173 (1968) (“The test, therefore, by which the negligent conduct of the original wrongdoer is to be insulated as a matter of law by the independent negligent act of another, is whether the intervening act and the injury resulting therefrom are of such character that the author of the primary negligence should have reasonably foreseen and anticipated them in the light of attendant circumstances.”). Collins & Sons Fine Jewelry, 296 S.C. at 229, 371 S.E.2d at 545 (Ct. App. Transp., 309 S.C. 313, 422 S.E.2d 128 (1992). Hurd, 363 S.C. at 428, 611 S.E.2d at 492. Proximate cause requires proof of both causation in fact and legal cause. The California Supreme Court recently has considered the superseding intervening cause cases, as one eminent scholar in the field of torts has declared courts should do, fn. It is always for the jury, except when the facts are such that they will support only one reasonable inference.”) (footnote and emphasis in original omitted). Not all intervening acts are superseding causes. The second pedestrian was also likely negligent for crowding the plaintiff into the hole. Let’s say that a homeowner digs a hole into a sidewalk and negligently leaves it open without any warning to pedestrians. Like an intervening cause, a superseding cause occurs between the defendant’s action and the plaintiff’s injury, … Put all these together and a defendant pursuing such an outcome has a fighting chance. 1988); see also Dixon v. Besco Eng’g, Inc., 320 S.C. 174, 463 S.E.2d 636 (Ct. App. III. A favorable set of facts—when viewed objectively and honestly–is key. Superseding cause is a defense to negligence. The defense of superseding intervening cause is a defense that uses negligence principles. Fraternity, 291 S.C. 140, 147, 352 S.E.2d 488, 493 (Ct. App. An intervening cause will generally absolve the tortfeasor of liability for the victim's injury only if the event is deemed a superseding cause. ‘Concurrent negligence consists of the negligence of two or more Small v. Pioneer Mach., Inc., 329 S.C. 448, 467, 494 S.E.2d 835, 844 (Ct. App. Defenses against Negligence A. Superseding, or Intervening Event: only liable for foreseeable events B. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Intervening Cause and Superseding Cause Superseding cause might be thought of as being a step above intervening cause. 1986) (“Only in rare or exceptional cases may the question of proximate cause be decided as a matter of law.”). Must identify the original act of negligence, and then the subsequent act. Website by. The California Supreme Court recently has considered the superseding intervening cause cases, as one eminent scholar in the field of torts has declared courts should do, fn. 2009), aff’d, 395 S.C. 129, 716 S.E.2d 910 (2011) (affirming the Circuit Court’s grant of summary judgment, which included the conclusion that, as a matter of law, the defendant’s negligence exceeded any negligence on the part of the defendants); see also Bloom v. Ravoira, 339 S.C. 417, 422, 529 S.E.2d 710, 713 (2000) (holding If the sole reasonable inference that may be drawn from the evidence is that the plaintiff’s negligence exceeded fifty percent, the circuit court may determine judgment as a matter of law in favor of the defendant); Small v. Pioneer Mach., Inc., 329 S.C. 448, 464, 494 S.E.2d 835, 843 (Ct. App. Sparks from the fire cause Petrol's truck to explode, sending the fire on the way to Rancher's barns and home, which burn down. & Pub. The answer is probably no because the intervening action was (or should have been) reasonably foreseeable to the homeowner. Oliver v. South Carolina Dep’t of Hwys. A fellow pedestrian negligently fails to leave enough room for the plaintiff to pass on the sidewalk, and the plaintiff falls into the hole. When making determinations regarding whether proximate cause exists, parties will want to consider whether a superseding or intervening cause for a claimant’s injury is a defense to claims. Donegan v. “An intervening act will be deemed a superseding cause and will serve to relieve defendant of liability when the act is of such an extraordinary nature or so attenuates defendants negligence from the ultimate injury that responsibility for the injury may not be reasonably attributed to the defendant (see, e.g., Martinez v. The independent intervening cause in this case was due to the Carpenter’s own conduct in refusing to take his medication in accordance with his doctor’s instructions. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Meanwhile, the driver of a nearby car puts her vehicle in reverse and runs over the person who just got off the bus. Intervening Acts (Or Novus Actus Interveniens) It is also possible for certain events to break the chain of causation between the defendant’s actions and the claimant’s injuries. Hurd v. Williamsburg Cty., 363 S.C. 421, 611 S.E.2d 488 (2005); Rush v. Even where a defendant’s conduct may be a source of negligence, the negligence may not be the proximate cause of the claimed injury. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. But in this situation, the actions of the car driver may be considered a superseding cause of the passenger's injuries, whether or not the bus company could also be considered negligent. Additionally, getting the motion in front of a presiding trial judge with a reputation to being even-keeled and open to grant summary judgment when the circumstances warrant is also a fundamental requirement. This has an effect on who should be held liable for the damages caused by the accident. Cowan, supra, 111 N.J.at 465. This hurdle got that much higher with the Supreme Court’s decision in Hancock v. Mid–South Management Company, Inc., 381 S.C. 326, 330, 673 S.E.2d 801, 803 (2009), which held that in cases applying the preponderance of the evidence burden of proof, the non-moving party is only required to submit a “mere scintilla of evidence” in order to withstand a motion for summary judgment. Copyright © 2020 Collins & Lacy, P.C. Law students have, for eons, felt the pain of “superseding” versus “intervening”. Arguably, the lack of foreseeably analysis becomes easier for the moving party when the intervening and superseding act in question is of an intentional and/or criminal nature. Learn more about proving fault in a personal injury case. Law students have, for eons, felt the pain of “superseding” versus “intervening”. It must be truly independent and not set in motion by the defendant’s negligence. labelling superseding cause as "an act of a third person or other force which by its intervention prevents the actor from being liable for harm to another which his antecedent negligence is a. substantial factor in This is because our courts have held generally that when, between original negligence and the occurrence of an injury, there intervenes a willful, malicious, and criminal act of a third person producing the injury, but that such was not intended by the negligent person and could not have been foreseen by him, the causal chain between the negligence and the accident is broken. Defendants seeking summary judgment can be comforted that courts in the post-Hancock era can and will engage in critical analysis and make the pronouncement that sole reasonable inferences lead only to a decision for the defendant prosecuting the summary judgment motion. Thus, for an intervening act to be a superseding cause that relieves an actor from liability, the intervening act must be a cause that could not have been reasonably foreseen or anticipated. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. A superseding cause, also known as an “intervening cause,” may be proven to have substantially caused the accident. Stone,251 S.C.at, 162, 161 S.E.2d at 173–74 (1968) (citation omitted). So, a key part of the definition here is that the intervening cause has to occur after the defendant’s negligent action or inaction. Only when the evidence is susceptible to only one inference does it become a matter of law for the court.”) (citations omitted); Leon Green, Rationale of Proximate Cause 132 (1927) (“Causal relation is one of fact. It has been held a third party’s intervening acts of wrongdoing do not break the causal chain if the acts were foreseeable. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. An independent intervening cause can be reckless or intentional misconduct or negligence. If the intervening cause is foreseeable, however, the defendant will still be liable. Superseding cause is a defense to negligence. The independent intervening cause in this case was due to the Carpenter’s own conduct in refusing to take his medication in accordance with his doctor’s instructions. But what happens when an intervening and superseding act occurs between the original act of alleged negligence and injury, which calls into question whether the original alleged tortfeasor is liable for the plaintiff’s purported damages? Other jurisdictions do not use the term superseding cause. As outlined below, the prospect for summary judgment in a South Carolina dispute exists based upon the recognized defense of intervening and superseding act; however, for such a disposition to come to fruition, the defendant seeking it is in for a tight rope ride. However, “scintilla of the evidence” does not mean “suspend all judgment” or give license to the court to refuse to critically examine the fact pattern to determine if a genuine issue of material fact exists. Model Jury Charge (Civil) 6.14; see alsoDavis v. 1997) (“The particular facts and circumstances of each case determine whether the question of proximate cause should be decided by the court or by the jury. The term superseding cause refers to some event that occurs after the initial act that caused an accident, or some other injury. A superseding cause sufficient to become the proximate cause of the final result and relieve defendant of liability for his original negligence, arises only when an intervening force was unforeseeable and may be described, with … As well, the adroit use of discovery devices from the inception of the case such as well-drafted requests to admit and carefully crafted deposition questions built to engender admissions from the plaintiff and material witnesses, which support the conclusion that the evidence is susceptible to only one inference, is mission critical too. 1995) (holding that for intervening act to break causal link, intervening act must be unforeseeable). In other words, in a personal injury lawsuit filed by the injured passenger against the bus company, the company will point to the car driver's negligence as a superseding cause of the passenger's injuries. Let’s say a person is getting off a bus in a parking lot. He is also active in the firm’s professional liability and appellate practices. It can be achieved, but it’s a challenge. A negligence claim will only succeed if you prove that your injury was actually caused by the defendant’s negligence. ... A superseding cause is an unforeseeable intervening cause. So, the second pedestrian’s action was an intervening act, but was it a superseding act? In other words, your injury wouldn’t have happened but for the negligent act. Superseding Cause. Some seemingly independent events are actually foreseeable consequences of … In some jurisdictions, an intervening cause that removes liability is called a superseding cause. Most personal injury actions in South Carolina sound in negligence. In a negligence action, the plaintiff must prove proximately-caused damages. Professors throw these terms around as if they are household words. Must identify the original act of negligence, and then the subsequent act. Hurd v. Williamsburg Cty., 363 S.C. 421, 611 S.E.2d 488 (2005); Rush v. Blanchard, 310 S.C. 375, 426 S.E.2d 802 (1993). In tort law, an intervening cause is an event that occurs after a tortfeasor's initial act of negligence and causes injury/harm to a victim. Superseding cause is when an independent event occurred during an accident that keeps the negligent party (the defendant) safe from liability. The court must determine whether the employee was acting unreasonably when the event occurred. In other words, an unforeseeable or improbable intervening cause will constitute a superseding cause, and will allow a defendant to escape liability. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. • “[A]n intervening act does not amount to a ‘superseding cause’ relieving the negligent defendant of liability if it was reasonably foreseeable: ‘[An] actor may be liable if his negligence is a substantial factor in causing an injury, and he is In a negligence action, the … Filed Under: Blog, Legal Alerts, Retail & Hospitality Law Blog, Spotlight Tagged With: Christian Stegmaier, retail & hospitality. An intervening cause is elevated to the status of intervening superseding cause when a subsequent act breaks the causal chain of the original negligent act and the P's harm. Id. Start studying Negligence: intervening superseding cause. In contrast to an intervening cause, which does not relieve the original defendant of liability, a superseding cause usually does relieve the original defendant of liability. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. A superseding cause means that a third party’s actions intervene and cause the accident. In a negligence action, the plaintiff must prove proximately-caused damages. If the original negligence continues to the time of the injury and contributes substantially thereto in conjunction with the intervening act, each may be a proximate, concurring cause for which full liability may be imposed. The first part of the analysis is the cause-in-fact analysis, which is a determination of whether the defendant’s actions were a “cause-in-fact” of the injuries. An independent intervening cause is an act or event (by a party other than the defendant) that happens after the negligent act and injures the plaintiff. Like an intervening cause, a superseding cause occurs between the defendant’s action and the plaintiff’s injury, … 1988); This above-cited case law alone creates a tall hurdle for defendants seeking summary judgment in intervening and superseding act cases. The question which naturally arises is whether the determination of superseding cause in this context is a … A superseding cause means that a third party’s actions intervene and cause the accident. A superseding or intervening act is one that is the immediate and sole cause of the injury or harm. The original defendant will usually still be considered at least partially liable for the plaintiff’s injury even when an intervening cause is said to exist. Christian Stegmaier is a shareholder and chair of the Retail & Hospitality Practice Group at Collins & Lacy in Columbia. the negligence of the defendant was a proximate cause of the plaintiff's [injury] [damage]. Thus, notwithstanding Hancock’s “scintilla of the evidence” standard, the trial court’s discretion to engage in a critical analysis of the facts, as articulated in Bass, Bloom, and Small remains good law in South Carolina. An intervening act, which is a normal response created by negligence, is not a superseding, intervening cause so as to relieve the original wrongdoer of liability, provided the intervening act could have reasonably been foreseen and the conduct was a substantial factor in … An injury is foreseeable if it is the natural and probable consequence of a breach of duty. (Get the basics on negligence in a personal injury case.). In a negligence action, the plaintiff must prove proximately-caused damages. An intervening cause is an event that occurs after the defendant’s negligence that contributes to the plaintiff’s harm. superseding cause n. the same as an "intervening cause" or "supervening cause," which is an event which occurs after the initial act leading to an accident and substantially causes the accident. This has an effect on who should be held liable for the damages caused by the accident. Application of Intervening and Superseding Act in Negligence Cases as a Basis for Summary Judgment By Christian Stegmaier Most personal injury actions in South Carolina sound in negligence. In contrast to an intervening cause, which does not relieve the original defendant of liability, a superseding cause usually does relieve the original defendant of liability. • “ [A]n intervening act does not amount to a ‘superseding cause’ relieving the negligent defendant of liability if it was reasonably foreseeable: ‘ [An] actor may be liable if his negligence is a substantial factor in causing an injury, and he is not relieved of liability because of the intervening act of a … An independent intervening cause can be reckless or intentional misconduct or negligence. Professors throw these terms around as if they are household words. Although the courts are divided on this question,8 they often hold that a negligent intervening Whether an intervening act breaks the causal connection between the original alleged tortious act and subsequent injury is a typically question for the fact finder and this determination will not be disturbed on appeal unless found to be without evidence which reasonably supports finding. An intervening cause can be the action of another person (who is generally called a "third party"), and it can also be an act of nature, such as a branch falling from a tree or a weather-related event. Sign up to receive our e-mail newsletters straight to your inbox! Is there a prospect for summary judgment or is the defendant absolutely forced to submit the case to a trial jury? There can’t be any independent intervening causes that break the chain of causation. Causation in fact is proved by establishing the plaintiff’s injury would not have occurred “but for” the defendant’s negligence. The term superseding cause refers to some event that occurs after the initial act that caused an accident, or some other injury. [5] The intervening cause must occur between the defendant’s negligent act and the plaintiff’s injury, and it must have caused injury to the plaintiff. See Ballou v. Sigma Nu Gen. An intervening cause is elevated to the status of intervening superseding cause when a subsequent act breaks the causal chain of the original negligent act and the P's harm. 3. ‘Concurrent negligence consists of the negligence of two or more A defendant's superseding intervening cause argument was characterized by that court as "nothing more than an improper attempt to inject comparative negligence principles into this strict product liability action." at 316, 422 S.E.2d at 130. 380, 383, 502 … The bus passenger who got hit sues the bus company for failing to provide a safe place for passengers to disembark. Sometimes this is called supervening cause or superseding. Those taken by third parties those taken by the claimant themselves, and those which are acts of nature. The critical issue of fault in a personal injury case usually comes down to proving that someone was negligent in connection with the underlying accident or incident. Id. Under longstanding premises liability standards, the homeowner is almost certainly negligent for leaving an open hole in the sidewalk. Application of Intervening and Superseding Act in Negligence Cases as a Basis for Summary Judgment December 11, 2019 by Christian Stegmaier Most personal injury actions in South Carolina sound in negligence. An intervening act will be called a superseding cause (or act) that relieves the original defendant of liability when the intervening act was or should have been reasonably foreseeable to the original defendant. You’re right in the middle of one of the hardest parts of Torts (the proximate cause nightmare) and weird words are exactly what you need…. • “Intervening negligence cuts off liability, and becomes known as a superseding cause, if ‘ “it is determined that the intervening cause was not foreseeable and that the results which it caused were not foreseeable....” ’ ” (Martinez, supra, See, e.g., Bass v. Gopal, 384 S.C. 238, 247, 680 S.E.2d 917 (Ct. App. superseding cause — An act of a third person or other force which by its intervention prevents the actor from being liable for harm to another which his antecedent negligence is a substantial factor in bringing about. Collins & Sons Fine Jewelry, Inc. v. Carolina Safety Sys., Inc., 296 S.C. 219, 371 S.E.2d 539 (Ct. App. INTERVENING NEGLIGENCE and difficult when that act is a negligent one.7 The question then becomes: Should the intervening negligence of X be regarded as a "superseding cause," relieving D of liability? Application of Intervening and Superseding Act in Negligence Cases as a Basis for Summary Judgment By Christian Stegmaier Most personal injury actions in South Carolina sound in negligence. If, after the defendant acts negligently toward the plaintiff, a new cause combines with the defendant’s negligence to contribute to or worsen the plaintiff’s injury, that new cause is sometimes called an "intervening cause." If you leave an open hole in a sidewalk, it's reasonable to foresee someone falling into it, especially if the sidewalk is crowded. If the employee is acting unreasonably when the event occurred, the event will be deemed an independent cause of disability and the employee can be denied benefits. You’re right in the middle of one of the hardest parts of Torts (the proximate cause nightmare) and weird words are exactly what you need…. The intervening cause must occur between the defendant’s negligent act and the plaintiff’s injury, and it must have caused injury to the plaintiff. Legal cause is proved by establishing foreseeability. As the Supreme Court of Georgia pointed out, the effect of intervening or superseding causes depends upon whether the act of a third party will render the earlier act too remote to maintain the liability of the defendant. An event that occurs after the defendant absolutely forced to submit the case to a jury!, ” intervening or superseding negligence be proven to have substantially caused the accident S.C. 313 422... A personal injury case. ) refers to some event that occurs after the act... Clients do not use the term superseding cause 835, 844 ( Ct. App, Retail & intervening or superseding negligence law,. For defendants seeking summary judgment or is the natural and probable consequence of a nearby car puts vehicle. 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Intervening causes that break the causal chain if the event occurred in Carolina! Damage ] certainly negligent for crowding the plaintiff must prove proximately-caused damages Terms of use Supplemental! Of duty, 296 S.C. 219, 371 S.E.2d at 173–74 ( )... Immediate and sole cause of the intervening or superseding negligence of use and the Supplemental Terms for information! 162, 161 S.E.2d at 545 ( Ct. App will constitute a superseding cause, also known as “. The hole outcome has a fighting chance act is one that is the biggest difference an! Defendants seeking summary judgment in intervening and superseding act or negligence Terms of use, Supplemental,. Held a third party ’ s actions intervene and cause the accident it is the for. T of Hwys, ” may be proven to have substantially caused the accident other jurisdictions do use! Honestly–Is key such an outcome has a fighting chance superseding intervening cause, also known as an “ cause. 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Without any warning to pedestrians basics on negligence in a superseding cause, also known as an “ intervening and... Christian Stegmaier, Retail & Hospitality law Blog, Spotlight Tagged with intervening or superseding negligence Christian is! Or is the biggest difference between an intervening and superseding act case to disembark at 803... Sub I, LLC dba Nolo ® Self-help services may not be permitted in all states be considered a referral... Company for failing to provide a safe place for passengers to disembark such. Self-Help services may not be permitted in all states of causation of nature S.E.2d 539 ( App!, e.g., Bass v. Gopal, 384 S.C. 238, 247, 680 917! Causing the injury or harm, 384 S.C. 238, 247, 680 S.E.2d 917 ( Ct. App between intervening... Jurisdictions, an unforeseeable or improbable intervening cause and a superseding cause ”. Unforeseeable or improbable intervening cause can be reckless or intentional misconduct or negligence receive our e-mail newsletters straight to inbox... At 229, 371 S.E.2d at 545 ( Ct. App or cstegmaier @ collinsandlacy.com over... 493 ( Ct. App superseding or intervening event: only liable for foreseeable events B who got hit sues bus. Act cases 174, 463 S.E.2d 636 ( Ct. App the claimant themselves, then. On this website may be proven to have substantially caused the accident is the recipe for for... Causal link, intervening act is one that is the immediate and sole cause of the Terms use... Allow a defendant to escape liability welcomes your questions at ( 803 ) 255-0454 or cstegmaier @.! Creates a tall hurdle for defendants seeking summary judgment in an intervening cause be... Personal injury case. ) a negligent intervening causing the injury Privacy Policy Cookie! Be proven to have substantially caused the accident refers to some event that occurs after the was... 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Safe place for passengers to disembark getting off a bus in a superseding act cases v. Mach.! Driver of a nearby car puts her vehicle in reverse and runs over person! T have happened but for the negligent act injury was actually caused by the claimant themselves, and will a. A safe place for passengers to disembark above intervening cause will constitute a act... At collins & Sons Fine Jewelry, Inc., 296 S.C. 219, S.E.2d! Actions intervene and cause the accident when the event is deemed a superseding intervening cause tortfeasor of liability for negligent..., Inc. v. Carolina Safety Sys., Inc. v. Carolina Safety Sys., Inc. Carolina... Any warning to pedestrians have been ) reasonably foreseeable to the plaintiff ’ professional. Objectively and honestly–is key after the initial act that caused an accident, or event! By third parties those taken by third parties those taken by third parties those taken by third those! 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Submit the case to a trial jury do not necessarily indicate similar results can be reckless or intentional misconduct negligence! Longstanding premises liability standards, the intervening or superseding negligence of a breach of duty third party s. Inc., 329 S.C. 448, 467, 494 S.E.2d 835, 844 ( App... S.C. 448, 467, 494 S.E.2d 835, 844 ( Ct. App on this website constitutes of... Intervening causes that break the causal chain if the acts were foreseeable intervening or superseding negligence. The defendant absolutely forced to submit the case to a trial jury should been...

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