What evidentiary standard is required for causation in compensability disputes?

In compensability disputes, the evidentiary standard required for establishing causation is a preponderance of the evidence. This standard means that the evidence must show that it is more likely than not that the injury or condition in question is related to the work-related factors. Essentially, this translates to a greater than 50% likelihood of the causal connection being valid.

This standard is commonly applied in civil matters, including workers' compensation cases, because it strikes a balance between the need to demonstrate causation without requiring the certainty that is often unrealistic or unattainable in complex medical or employment scenarios. It allows for claims to be supported by a sufficient weight of credible evidence rather than needing absolute certainty, which would be impractical in many situations.

Understanding this standard is crucial for both claimants and evaluators, as it dictates the burden of proof and the nature of evidence required to establish a link between work and injury, influencing the outcomes of workers' compensation claims significantly.