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Dawson and Rosenthal
Dawson and Rosenthal

What is Concurrent Causation?

Concurrent causation is a common concern for many individuals suffering from losses experienced after a destructive event, often to property. While the specifics of concurrent causation may be confusing and overwhelming, those affected often rely on the help of San Diego insurance attorneys to help them navigate the specifics of insurance coverage. Call Dawson and Rosenthal today for more information. 

The Ins and Outs of Concurrent Causation

Concurrent causation refers to a section of insurance claims that have to do with damages or losses that occur as the result of more than one cause. How concurrent causation has been treated in court has come as a result of court rulings and opinions that have occurred since the subject has been legally contested. 

Most often concerning property, concurrent causation means that a question of coverage has arisen because one cause of loss is covered by insurance while another is not. The question of what is eligible to be compensated and not is often a point of contention as sometimes one cause can lead to another, while in other cases, damage only occurred after an event that wasn’t covered. In any case, the specifics and outcomes of a concurrent causation case vary by state, policy, and the specifics of the damage. 

How Many People Lose Out

One example of concurrent causation is if a warehouse experienced extensive damage due to the winds of a tornado. After compromising the roof of the structure, rainwater rushed in and flooded the building, causing severe water damage to the electronics being manufactured in the warehouse. Similar instances have occurred to automobiles, private residences, and other properties. 

While some may expect to get decent payouts for all of the losses to their property, this is not always the case. As previously mentioned, many rulings rest on the legal precedence of previous judgments and opinions. This means that getting damages for all lost property is no guarantee. 

Insurance Companies Add Clause, Hurting Consumers Further

This endeavor may be further jeopardized if an anti-concurrent causation (ACC) clause or provision is included in your insurance policy. As some insurance providers have had to pay out more money to their policyholders for concurrent causation-related damages in the past, many have begun to include ACCs to prevent having to pay for all of the loss experienced by the property owner. 

Depending on the state, the court will determine which causation was the predominant or proximate cause of the loss. Therefore, not all state courts will apply concurrent causation. In the previous example, should the court determine that the proximate cause was the tornado winds, all of the subsequent damage would need to be covered by insurance. 

Call Dawson and Rosenthal for Help Today

As insurance companies try to play property owners out of paying their fair share, those who have become victims of losses struggle with the financial burdens of the accident. Recognizing this injustice, San Diego insurance attorneys from Dawson and Rosenthal have decided to take these insurance agencies head-on. If you or a loved one is struggling with an accident involving concurrent causation, reach out to a lawyer today by calling (866) 937-3820.