If there is a judgment against 6 parties, can 1 be made to to pay the full amount?

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If there is a judgment against 6 parties, can 1 be made to to pay the full amount?

I had judgment which against total 6 parties including me. when I talked to the lawyer to pay my responsible amount(I think total amount divide by 6), the lawyer told me to pay full amount not partial. Is it correct? I thought if judgment against 6 parties, other 5 and I should share total amount. Not just me have all responsible. How do I need to talk to the lawyer back regarding my partial amount, since he asked me to pay full amount?

Asked on June 28, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, California

Answers:

Cameron Norris, Esq. / Law Office of Gary W. Norris

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

You need to have the lawyer explain why this is so.  You probably have joint and several liability.  Whenever a person acts intentionally bad--or when they act in concert with other people or sometimes when it involves certain consumer protection areas like products liability, then joint and several liability applies.  Joint and several liability simply means that every defendant who is found guilty is liable for the full amount, not just their proportionate share.  Then, after you have paid more than your share, you have to sue the other defendants for contribution related to their fault.  If you want to read the CA case that established all of this nonsense, then read: American Motorcycle Association v. Superior Court.


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