Opinion ID: 59472
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Lack of Causation as an Affirmative Defense

Text: Havas, Keddie, and Buck are unclear as to which party carries the burden of proof regarding causation. In cases involving a claim against an insurance broker for negligent failure to procure insurance, a minority of jurisdictions hold that the causation issue raised by Marsh is an affirmative defense. See Hans Coiffures Int'l, Inc. v. Hejna, 469 S.W.2d 38, 40 (Mo.Ct.App.1971); see also Patterson Agency, Inc. v. Turner, 35 Md.App. 651, 372 A.2d 258, 261 (1977). A majority of jurisdictions hold that causation is considered an element of the offense that must be proven by the plaintiff by a preponderance of the evidence. See Pac. Dredging Co. v. Hurley, 65 Wash.2d 394, 397 P.2d 819, 822 (1964); see Bayly, Martin & Fay, Inc. v. Pete's Satire, Inc., 739 P.2d 239, 243-44 (Colo.1987) (en banc); see MacDonald v. Carpenter & Pelton, Inc., 31 A.D.2d 952, 298 N.Y.S.2d 780, 784 (1969). Because the Nevada Supreme Court cited to Pacific Dredging when it discussed causation in Keddie, we conclude that the Nevada Supreme Court would adopt the majority approach regarding the burden of proof for causation. See Keddie, 580 P.2d at 956. In Nevada, the plaintiff carries the burden of proof regarding the causation element of a negligence claim, and we see no reason why SMI's claim for negligent failure to procure insurance would be subject to a different rule. See Scialabba v. Brandise Const. Co., 112 Nev. 965, 968, 921 P.2d 928 (1996).