ABSTRACT
Many of the problems in hearing loss determination in compensation proceedings stem
from the basic differences between medical and legal causation principles. The medical
definition of cause and effect suggests scientific certainty, so that the alleged causative
element must be one recognized as scientifically accurate. On the other hand, legal causa-
tion requires only that there be a cause-and-effect relationship within a reasonable degree
of medical certainty, in others words-that the causal relationship between alleged work
hazard and the resulting injury be one that is more likely than not. This is the dilemma that
faces the doctor, the lawyer, and the adjudicator.
