Environmental Causation Analysis
Technical Questions
- •Is there a scientifically defensible connection between the alleged source and the observed impact?
- •Are alternative causes present?
- •Is the timing consistent with the alleged release?
- •Does the available environmental evidence support causation?
- •What uncertainties affect the causation determination?
Analytical Approach
- •Conceptual Site Model (CSM) development
- •Source-pathway-receptor evaluation
- •Historical operational review
- •Environmental fate and transport analysis
- •Temporal and spatial correlation assessment
- •Alternative cause evaluation
Evidence Reviewed
- •Environmental monitoring data
- •Historical site records
- •Sampling and laboratory reports
- •Regulatory files
- •Hydrogeologic and ecological studies
- •Technical expert reports
Litigation Relevance
Causation analysis is often the pivotal issue in environmental disputes, determining whether liability exists at all. Strong technical evidence showing defensible cause-and-effect relationships directly influences case outcomes and significantly affects settlement negotiations and jury perception.
How UNISDOM Supports Counsel
UNISDOM assists attorneys and stakeholders by evaluating scientific evidence, assessing competing causation theories, identifying data gaps, and developing technically defensible opinions regarding environmental causation.