Negligent Spoliation of Evidence

The Supreme Court of Illinois has written: "Courts have long afforded redress for the destruction of evidence and, in our opinion, traditional remedies adequately address the problem presented in this case. An action for negligent spoliation can be stated under existing negligence law without creating a new tort." Boyd v. Travelers Ins. Co., 166 Ill. 2d 188, 193, 652 N.E.2d 267, 270, 209 Ill. Dec. 727, 730 (1995). We agree with the majority of states that have resolved this issue and conclude that general principles of Alabama law afford a plaintiff an adequate remedy. Therefore, we see no need to recognize a new cause of action for spoliation of evidence. We hereby recognize a claim against a third party for spoliation of evidence, under the traditional doctrine of negligence; but in regard to such a claim, we recognize that the burden of proof will be shifted from where it is in the ordinary negligence case. Other states have held that their existing law provided ample remedies: Wilson v. Beloit Corp., 921 F.2d 765 (8th Cir. 1990) (applying Arkansas law); Edwards v. Louisville Ladder Co., 796 F. Supp. 966 (W.D. La. 1992) (applying Louisiana law); La Raia v. Superior Court, 150 Ariz. 118, 722 P.2d 286 (1986); Gardner v. Blackston, 185 Ga. App. 754, 365 S.E.2d 545 (Ariz. 1988); Petrik v. Monarch Printing Corp., 150 Ill. App. 3d 248, 103 Ill. Dec. 774, 501 N.E.2d 1312 (1986), appeal denied, 108 Ill. Dec. 424, 508 N.E.2d 735 (1987); Murphy v. Target Products, 580 N.E.2d 687 (Ind. App. 1991); Koplin v. Rosel Well Perforators, Inc., 241 Kan. 206, 734 P.2d 1177 (1987); Miller v. Montgomery County, 64 Md. App. 202, 494 A.2d 761, cert. denied, 304 Md. 299, 498 A.2d 1185 (1985); Panich v. Iron Wood Products Corp., 179 Mich. App. 136, 445 N.W.2d 795 (1989); Federated Mut. Ins. Co. v. Litchfield Precision Components, Inc., 456 N.W.2d 434 (Minn. 1990); Baugher v. Gates Rubber Co., 863 S.W.2d 905 (Mo. App. 1993); Weigl v. Quincy Specialties Co., 158 Misc. 2d 753, 601 N.Y.S.2d 774 (Sup. Ct. 1993); Brewer v. Dowling, 862 S.W.2d 156 (Tex. App. 1993).