What is meant by joint and several liability?

Joint and several liability refers to a legal doctrine that allows a plaintiff to pursue multiple defendants for a single judgment, asserting that each defendant can be held either individually or collectively responsible for the entirety of the damages awarded. This means that if one defendant is unable to pay their share of the damages, the plaintiff can seek the full amount from any of the other defendants.

This concept provides a path for recovery for the injured party, ensuring that they are not left without recourse even if one or more of the defendants cannot fulfill their financial obligations. It emphasizes the accountability of all parties involved in the claim, maintaining that they can either be pursued together in a lawsuit or individually, depending on the circumstances of the case.

Understanding joint and several liability is crucial in personal injury and contract cases, as it highlights how damages can be allocated and recovered in complex scenarios involving multiple negligent or responsible parties.