How is causation determined in a professional negligence claim?
In Washington, causation is a fundamental element in a professional negligence claim. Causation is established when it is proved that a defendant’s breach of professional duty was substantially linked to the plaintiff’s damages. To establish causation, a plaintiff must prove that: (1) the breach of professional duty was the factual cause of the plaintiff’s damages; and (2) the breach of professional duty was the legal cause of the plaintiff’s damages. The factual causation analysis focuses on whether the breach of professional duty was a direct cause of the plaintiff’s damages. This means that the damages would not have occurred in the absence of the defendant’s breach of duty. The legal causation analysis focuses on whether the breach of professional duty was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s damages. This means that the damages must be a reasonably foreseeable result of the breach of duty for the defendant to be held liable. If a plaintiff is able to prove both elements of causation, the defendant will be found liable for the plaintiff’s damages.
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