Opinion ID: 71256
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: there are distinct harms, or

Text: (b) there is a reasonable basis for determining the contribution of each cause to a single harm. (2) Damages for any other harm cannot be apportioned among two or more causes. Restatement (Second) of Torts § 433A (1965). Consequently, courts will not hold a defendant jointly and severally liable to a governmental or non-liable private plaintiff where the defendant can demonstrate the harm at a given site is divisible, i.e., there are distinct harms or a reasonable basis for determining the contribution of each cause to a single harm. Bell Petroleum, 3 F.3d at 904; Alcan Aluminum, 964 F.2d at 268-69; United States v. Chem-Dyne Corp., 572 F.Supp. 802, 810 (S.D.Ohio 1983). When a defendant successfully demonstrates the harm at the site is divisible, it will only be held liable for that portion of the cleanup costs attributable to its conduct. Alcan Aluminum, 964