Opinion ID: 1722650
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: specific negligenceproximate cause.

Text: This law action is reviewed on errors assigned. Trial court's findings have the effect of a jury verdict. If supported by substantial evidence they are binding on us and will not be disturbed. Furthermore, the evidence is viewed in a light most favorable to the judgment and in case of ambiguity we construe to uphold rather than defeat it. See Nora Springs Cooperative Company v. Brandau, 247 N.W.2d 744 (Iowa 1976); Hayes v. Hettinga, 228 N.W.2d 181, 182 (Iowa 1975); Iowa R.Civ.P. 344(f)(1). But we are not bound by trial court's determinations of law. See Nora Springs Cooperative Company v. Brandau, supra ; Sand Seed Service, Inc. v. Bainbridge, 246 N.W.2d 911 (Iowa 1976); Whewell v. Dobson, 227 N.W.2d 115, 117 (Iowa 1975). And this court will neither weigh the evidence nor pass on credibility of witnesses. See Whewell v. Dobson, supra ; DeYarman v. State, 226 N.W.2d 26, 27 (Iowa 1975). Referring to proximate cause: The actor's negligent conduct is a legal cause of harm to another if (a) his conduct is a substantial factor in bringing about the harm, and (b) there is no rule of law relieving the actor from liability because of the manner in which his negligence has resulted in the harm. McCleeary v. Wirtz, 222 N.W.2d 409, 413 (Iowa 1974). See also 57 Am.Jur.2d, Negligence, § 147. Furthermore, the instrumentality which caused the involved fire must be established before a causal connection can be made regarding any alleged negligent act and in this the burden of proof was upon plaintiffs. See Grings v. Great Plains Gas Co., 260 Iowa 1309, 1315, 152 N.W.2d 540 (1967); Rauch v. Des Moines Elec. Co., 206 Iowa 309, 312, 218 N.W. 340 (1928); Iowa R.Civ.P. 344(f)(5); 1 Jones on Evidence, § 5:6 (Gard 6th ed. 1972); 57 Am.Jur.2d, Negligence, § 147; 38 C.J.S. Gas § 47c(1), at 745. As summarized by Prosser, The Law of Torts, § 41 at 241 (4th ed. 1971): He must introduce evidence which affords a reasonable basis for the conclusion that it is more likely than not that the conduct of the defendant was a substantial factor in bringing about the result. A mere possibility of such causation is not enough;   . It is also understood that even though negligence be established the existence of proximate cause does not necessarily follow. See DeYarman v. State, 226 N.W.2d at 28. Of course, proof of causal connection may be by either direct or circumstantial evidence but in event the latter is, as here, solely relied upon, it must be sufficient to make the theory asserted reasonably probable, not merely possible, and more probable than any other theory based on such evidence; however, it is generally for the trier of fact to say whether circumstantial evidence meets this test. Wiley v. United Fire & Casualty Company, 220 N.W.2d 635 (Iowa 1974). See also Rauch v. Des Moines Elec. Co., 206 Iowa at 312-313, 218 N.W. 340. Noticeably, expert testimony establishing a requisite causal connection is here absent. Had such evidence been presented it could have been particularly helpful in supplying the negligence factor and necessary causation link. In fact, this is probably a case in which both tort and causal connection essentially required foundational proof by presentation of expert opinion testimony. See 2 Harper and James, The Law of Torts, § 20.2, at 1116-1119 (1956); cf. McCleeary v. Wirtz, supra . Compare Winter v. Honeggers' & Co., Inc., 215 N.W.2d 316, 323 (Iowa 1974). Plaintiffs assert, however, the testimony with respect to origin of the fire, though circumstantial, sufficed to remove such issue from the realm of speculation and amply supported a finding that defendants' negligence was a proximate cause of the fire. We are not so persuaded. In essence, trial court correctly held proximate cause could not be inferred from mere happening of the fire. See Ellingson v. Kramer, 255 Iowa 1257, 1262-1263, 125 N.W.2d 777 (1964). See generally Trimbo v. Minnesota Valley National Gas Company, 260 Minn. 386, 110 N.W.2d 168 (1961); 26 Am.Jur.2d, Electricity, Gas, and Steam, §§ 224-225. Trial court also found: There was no testimony from any witness that the furnace was in any manner malfunctioning, and there was no evidence whatever as to how or in what manner the furnace was relit other than two people from Iowa Southern Utilities Company using a ladder raised the false ceiling and relit the furnace and left.       Certainly, the mere happening of the fire does not establish a causal connection   . This finding is adequately supported by the record. Under existing circumstances, we now conclude no evidence was adduced disclosing (1) the November 6, 1969, bulldozer incident was a proximate cause of the Cady fire two days later or (2) relighting of the furnace was a proximate cause of such conflagration. Proximate cause was not established as a matter of law. Plaintiffs' first assigned issue is without merit.