JOINT TORTFEASOR
Two or more individuals with joint and several
liability in a tort action for the same injury to the
same person or property.
To be considered joint tortfeasors, the par-
ties must act together in committing the wrong,
or their acts, if independent of each other, must
unite in causing a single injury. All who actively
participate in the commission of a civil wrong
are joint tortfeasors. Persons responsible for sep-
arate acts of NEGLIGENCE that combine in caus-
ing an injury are joint tortfeasors. The plaintiff
has the option of suing one or more of the tort-
feasors, either individually or as a group.
If the plaintiff is awarded damages, each
joint tortfeasor is responsible for paying a por-
tion of the damages, based on the percentage of
the injury caused by his or her negligent act. The
defendant who pays more than his or her share
of the damages, or who pays more than he or she
is at fault for, may bring an action to recover
from the other culpable defendants under the
