Question 17

The proximate cause of Naomi's damage is the contractor hitting the house with the bulldozer.

The direct action that led to the damage of Naomi's house was the contractor accidentally hitting it with a bulldozer. This incident is the most immediate cause of the damage and is directly linked to the event that caused it.

A) The neighbour's house fire

While the neighbour's house fire initiated a sequence of events, it is not the proximate cause of the damage to Naomi's house. The fire did not directly result in the bulldozer hitting Naomi's house; therefore, it cannot be held as the cause of her damage.

B) Naomi's decision to purchase the house

Naomi's decision to purchase her house is unrelated to the damage caused by the contractor. This choice does not have a direct link to the physical damage inflicted by the bulldozer, making it an irrelevant factor in determining proximate cause.

C) The neighbour's selection of contractor

Although the neighbour’s choice of contractor may have contributed to the circumstances surrounding the fire and subsequent repairs, it does not directly cause the damage to Naomi's house. The contractor's actions on-site are what led to the damage, separating this option from being the proximate cause.

D) The contractor hitting the house with the bulldozer

This option is the correct answer as it directly describes the event that caused the damage to Naomi’s house. The contractor's action is the immediate cause of the damage, establishing a clear link between the action and the resulting harm.

Conclusion

The proximate cause of Naomi's damage is unequivocally linked to the contractor hitting her house with the bulldozer. This incident is the most immediate and direct cause, while the other options either lack direct causation or are too far removed from the event that led to the damage. Thus, D stands out as the only logical choice in this context.