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United Kingdom Leading Case causation factual

Fairchild v Glenhaven Funeral Services Ltd

[2002] UKHL 22
JurisdictionUnited Kingdom
CourtUK House of Lords
Year2002
StatusBinding authority

Summary

Where multiple tortfeasors each materially contributed to the risk of harm, proof of material contribution to risk suffices to establish causation in negligence.

Key Principle

material contribution to risk suffices for causation where multiple tortfeasors each created the risk

Area of Law

Tort — Causation, Remoteness and Damages

Related Cases

Barker v Corus UK Ltd [2006] UKHL 20

Where multiple defendants materially contributed to the risk of mesothelioma, liability is proportionate to the period of exposure rather than joint and several.

Chester v Afshar [2004] UKHL 41

In informed consent cases, causation is satisfied on a policy basis even where the claimant cannot prove they would have avoided surgery but-for the failure to warn.

Overseas Tankship (UK) Ltd v The Miller Steamship Co (Wagon Mound No 2) [1967] 1 AC 617

A defendant is liable in tort where damage of the relevant type was foreseeable, even if the risk of it occurring was very small.

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