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United Kingdom Leading Case causation factualprofessional negligence

Chester v Afshar

[2004] UKHL 41
JurisdictionUnited Kingdom
CourtUK House of Lords
Year2004
StatusBinding authority

Summary

In informed consent cases, causation is satisfied on a policy basis even where the claimant cannot prove they would have avoided surgery but-for the failure to warn.

Key Principle

modified causation in informed consent cases; policy-based exception to but-for test

Area of Law

Tort — Causation, Remoteness and Damages

Related Cases

Barker v Corus UK Ltd [2006] UKHL 20

Where multiple defendants materially contributed to the risk of mesothelioma, liability is proportionate to the period of exposure rather than joint and several.

Fairchild v Glenhaven Funeral Services Ltd [2002] UKHL 22

Where multiple tortfeasors each materially contributed to the risk of harm, proof of material contribution to risk suffices to establish causation in negligence.

Overseas Tankship (UK) Ltd v The Miller Steamship Co (Wagon Mound No 2) [1967] 1 AC 617

A defendant is liable in tort where damage of the relevant type was foreseeable, even if the risk of it occurring was very small.

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