---
title: "Joint and Several Liability"
type: Legal Term
source: https://casebriefly.com/legal-terms/joint-and-several-liability
---

# Joint and Several Liability

Joint and several liability is a doctrine that holds each defendant individually liable for the full amount of the plaintiff's damages, regardless of that defendant's proportionate share of fault. The plaintiff may collect the entire judgment from any one defendant, and that defendant must then seek contribution from the other defendants. Many jurisdictions have modified or abolished joint and several liability through tort reform legislation, replacing it with proportionate liability.

## Related Terms

- vicarious-liability
- respondeat-superior
- comparative-negligence

## Related Cases

- summers-v-tice

## Example

Two manufacturers produce a defective component. Under joint and several liability, the plaintiff can collect 100% of the damages from either manufacturer.

---
Source: [Joint and Several Liability — CaseBriefly](https://casebriefly.com/legal-terms/joint-and-several-liability)