Burden and Standard of Proof

Section 741 Section 741.205  Burden and Standard of Proof a)         To establish a respondent's proportionate share, the complainant must prove the following by a preponderance of the evidence: 1)         That the respondent proximately caused or contributed to a release or substantial threat of a release of regulated substances or pesticides on, in, under or from a site; and 2)         The degree to which the performance or costs of a response result from the respondent's proximate causation of or contribution to the release or substantial threat of a release as established under subsection (a)(1) of this Section. b)         Liability to perform or pay for a response that results from the release or substantial threat of a release of regulated substances or pesticides on, in, under or from a site is subject to all defenses allowed by law, including the defenses set forth in Section 22.2(j) of the Act, and the limitations set forth in Section 58.9(a)(2) of the Act.  The respondent raising a defense set forth in Section 22.2(j) or a limitation set forth in Section 58.9(a)(2) of the Act must prove the defense or limitation by a preponderance of the evidence. c)         A complainant is not required to plead a specific alleged percentage of liability for the performance or costs of a response in a complaint that seeks to require a respondent to perform or pay for a response that results from a release or substantial threat of a release of regulated substances or pesticides.