House of Lords case establishing that in medical negligence, claimants must prove causation on the balance of probabilities even where multiple potential causes exist.

Cambridge Water concerned liability for environmental contamination where a leather manufacturer's chemical spillages polluted a water company's borehole. The House of Lords established that foreseeability of harm is required for both nuisance and Rylands v Fletcher liability, significantly limiting strict liability for environmental damage.

House of Lords case that relaxed the test for factual causation where the defendant's negligence materially increased the risk of harm that actually occurred.

House of Lords clarifies causation test in medical negligence claims

Caparo established the modern three-stage test for determining when a duty of care exists in negligence: foreseeability, proximity, and whether it is fair, just and reasonable to impose a duty. The case concerned whether auditors owed a duty of care to potential investors who relied on company accounts. In Robinson v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police [2018] UKSC 4 the Supreme Court clarified that the three-stage framework is not a universal test and is relevant only in novel cases.

A woman claimed damages after allegedly finding a decomposed snail in a bottle of ginger beer, becoming ill as a result. This case established the modern law of negligence and the 'neighbour principle' - that we owe a duty of care to those who might reasonably be affected by our actions.

Tortfeasor not liable for losses from unrelated supervening illness

No liability for damage to property already damaged by another tortfeasor.

Rylands v Fletcher established the rule of strict liability for damage caused by the escape of dangerous things accumulated on land. This landmark case created a new tort principle that makes landowners liable for harm caused by hazardous substances kept on their property, regardless of fault or negligence.

Extended Goldman v Hargrave to natural land movements, establishing that landowners must take reasonable steps to prevent naturally occurring land slippage from damaging neighbouring property. Confirmed the 'measured duty' principle in English law.

Loss of chance must be substantial to ground contractual damages claim

Negligent hospital escapes liability due to lack of causation

Council liable for children's injuries from abandoned boat despite unforeseeable accident method

Defendants liable if type of harm foreseeable, even if manner unforeseeable

This case established that employers can be vicariously liable for employees' intentional wrongdoing if there is a sufficiently close connection between the employment and the wrongful acts. The House of Lords held a care home liable for sexual abuse committed by a warden against residents.

This case concerned whether an employer was liable for an employee's suicide that occurred as a result of clinical depression caused by a workplace accident. The House of Lords established that employers can be held liable for an employee's suicide if it results from psychiatric injury caused by the original negligence.

Court establishes landmark test for recoverable damages in contract breach

The House of Lords held that there could be no liability under the rule in Rylands v Fletcher without an escape of the dangerous thing from the defendant's land, clarifying a key element of strict liability.

Page v Smith established that a defendant owes a duty of care to avoid causing psychiatric injury to primary victims who are within the zone of physical danger, even if no physical injury occurs. The case clarified the distinction between primary and secondary victims in psychiatric injury claims.

Unforeseeable chemical reaction made explosion damages too remote despite negligence.

No general duty to prevent third parties causing harm; liability requires special circumstances.

House of Lords limits damages for defective building work to reasonable remedial costs

Medical negligence rarely breaks chain of causation in homicide cases

Tortfeasor liable for full damages despite victim's subsequent unrelated injury

Employers liable for employees' torts despite express prohibitions if within employment scope.

Concurrent liability in contract and tort possible; Hedley Byrne extends to services.

Duty of care extends to pure economic loss for defective flooring where special relationship exists

House of Lords establishes liability for omission after creating dangerous situation

Contractual damages must be within reasonable contemplation of parties at contract formation.

Mitigation duty requires reasonable steps but not complex litigation against third parties.

Nervous shock liability extends to 'immediate aftermath' of accidents