Can causation be established where the actions of a defendant materially contributed to the occurrence of damage or injury?

However, causation may be established where the actions of the defendant materially contributed to the occurrence of the damage or injury. In some instances, an inference of causation may be drawn without positive scientific proof. A defendant does not escape responsibility simply because other causal factors besides their actions may have helped produce the harm complained of. (Athey v. Leonati, 1996 CanLII 183 (SCC), [1996] 3 S.C.R. 458.)