Understanding Joint and Several Liability

Joint and several liability sounds like a mouthful, but the concept is easy to comprehend. Joint and several liability exists when there is a single plaintiff that has been harmed by multiple defendants. It becomes a little complex because it cannot be determined, how much, percentage-wise, each defendant is at fault. However, this does not become the plaintiff’s problem – rather, the plaintiff may sue either one or both of the parties for the entire judgment – apportionment of fault becomes the defendants’ problem.

When a plaintiff is harmed by multiple defendants, it is not necessary that both defendants cause the same exact harm. What is important is that the combination of their harm creates a single indivisible harm. A common example of joint and several liability is as follows: there are three people, a plaintiff, and two defendants. The two defendants are at the apex of opposite hills. The plaintiff is at the bottom, sandwiched between the two hills. Both defendants cause a fire. The fire travels downwards and ignites plaintiff’s home. Because both fires caused plaintiff’s home to burn and it cannot be determined which defendant’s fire burned plaintiff’s home, there is a single indivisible injury to the plaintiff.

Specifically, California has adopted a modified version of the old common law on joint and several liability. California law states that although multiple defendants are jointly liable for the entire amount of your economic damages, they are only severally liable for their apportioned percentage of fault as to non-economic damages. Because of the complexity in determining plaintiff’s damages or a defendant’s apportionment of fault, it is recommended that you seek an experienced personal injury attorney or professional to understand your rights.