Joint and Several Liability Reform: SB 465 (1986).

| November 5, 2016

Bars application of the rule of joint and several liability

Bars application of the rule of joint and several liability in the recovery of non-economic damages. Bars application of the rule of joint and several liability in the recovery of economic damages from defendants less at fault than the plaintiff. The reform does not apply in the recovery of economic damages for pollution, intentional torts, actions governed by a specific statute providing for joint and several liability, and actions for damages no greater than $25,000. The joint and several liability provision is constitutional. Smith v. Department of Insurance, 507 So.2d 1080 (Fla. 1987). The Florida Supreme Court further interpreted the joint and several liability portion of the statute in Allied Signal v. Fox, case No. 80818, Florida Supreme Court, Aug. 26, 1993 and Fabre v. Marin, case No. 76869, Florida Supreme Court, Aug. 26, 1993.