causation

noun | \ kȯ-ˈzā-shən \ | cau·sa·tion

1. a : the act or process of causing proof of objective causation of injury by the perpetrator —Alan Freeman

   b : the act or agency that produces an effect evidence was presented on doctor's malpractice…for…proof of causation —National Law Journal if plaintiffs could establish…that the caps were manufactured by one of the defendants, the burden of proof as to causation would shift to all the defendants —Sindell v. Abbott Laboratories, 607 P.2d 924 (1980)

2. : the relation between cause and effect especially as an element to be proven in a tort or criminal case must be “legal” causation between the acts and the results —W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr. — see also chain of causation