Week Three: Causation

 

 

• Defining causation in the Supreme Court of Canada: Athey v. Leonati 1996 3 SCR 458; Athey, Resurfice Corp. v. Hanke 2007 1 SCR 333 Resurfice, and Clements v. Clements 2012 SCC 32.

• Two tests for causation: “but for” test and “material contribution test”.

• Complex causation issues: pre-existing injuries or health conditions; multiple tortious and non-tortious events; divisible and indivisible injuries: James D, “Defending Claims Involving The Issue Of Divisible Versus Indivisible Injuries” Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, Personal Injury Conference 2013.

• Cameron, J, "Causation and Indivisible Injuries - the Plaintiff's Secret Friend."

• Psychological injuries as a special case: Mustapha v. Culligan of Canada Ltd. 2008 SCC 27.

• Psychology of persuasion: proving causation in the complex chronic pain case – Foster v. Kindlan and Pineau, 2012 BCSC 681.

 

Lecture Notes:

• Week Three