Cause versus contributing factor
Definition
In failure analysis, the cause is the primary physical event or deficiency that initiated the failure. Contributing factors are conditions or actions that affected the likelihood or severity without being the initiating event. The legal standard for causation may differ from the engineering technical analysis.
Related terms
- Forensic engineering
- The application of engineering knowledge and scientific method to investigate failures, accidents, and technical disputes that require resolution in legal, insurance, or...
- NAFE
- The National Academy of Forensic Engineers, a US organisation whose membership is restricted to licensed professional engineers with substantial forensic casework experience....
- Professional engineer (PE / CEng)
- A licensed engineering credential required in many jurisdictions to offer opinions on engineering matters in court. In the US, state licensure as...
- Retaining party
- The lawyer, insurer, or client who engages a forensic engineer for a specific matter. The engineer owes accurate and objective opinions (not...
- Spoilation
- The destruction, loss, or alteration of evidence in litigation, whether intentional or negligent. Courts may impose sanctions including adverse inference instructions when...
Explained in
- Scope and Practice of Forensic EngineeringIn failure analysis, the cause is the primary physical event or deficiency that initiated the failure. Contributing factors are conditions or actions that affe...