Joint and Several Liability

Rule that allows an injured person to recover all their damages from any one of multiple at-fault defendants, leaving defendants to sort out contributions among themselves.

In a personal injury case:
Helps ensure the plaintiff can be fully compensated even if some defendants can’t pay.

What to know:

  • Some states have limited or abolished pure joint and several liability.

  • State-specific rules heavily affect strategy when multiple defendants are involved.

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