ergo
Ergo is a Latin term meaning “therefore” or “thus.” It is used to introduce a logical conclusion derived from preceding statements.
The phrase post hoc ergo propter hoc (“after this, therefore because of this”) refers to a logical fallacy that assumes causation merely because one event follows another. In negligence cases, this reasoning is insufficient to prove causation as evidence or argument, as it falsely infers causation from temporal sequence. Temporal sequence alone does not establish that the defendant’s act caused the plaintiff’s injury.
[Last reviewed in October of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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