What is the test for establishing causation between a party alleging negligence and a plaintiff alleging negligence?

British Columbia, Canada


The following excerpt is from Grech v Stanley, 2021 BCSC 2169 (CanLII):

With respect to causation, the party alleging negligence bears the onus of establishing that “but for” an alleged breach of the standard of care, damages would not have occurred: Clements v. Clements, 2012 SCC 32 at paras. 8-9. The plaintiff must show that the breach was part of the cause, but need not show it was the sole cause: Athey v. Leonati, 1996 CanLII 183 (SCC), [1996] 3 S.C.R. 458 [Athey] at para. 17.

Other Questions


Is a third party responsible for the costs of a plaintiff who alleges that one of the third parties has failed to draft specifications to clearly state that certain fireproofing is to be asbestos-free? (British Columbia, Canada)
Does a successful party have the right to claim special costs when the successful party is in a relationship with an opposing party? (British Columbia, Canada)
What must a plaintiff prove to establish negligence? (British Columbia, Canada)
Does a plaintiff have to establish that negligence was the sole cause of injury? (British Columbia, Canada)
Can a party recover in restitution where another party has been unjustly enriched at that party's expense? (British Columbia, Canada)
Does a plaintiff have to establish that negligence was not the sole cause of injury? (British Columbia, Canada)
Does the law of agency apply when one party gives explicit or implicit authority to another party (the principal) to enter contracts with third parties? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the test for establishing that a party to a motor vehicle accident was negligent? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the effect of the intention or understanding of a party to a transaction where a party intended to transfer a vehicle to another party? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the test for establishing that a party is not a party to the claim? (British Columbia, Canada)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.