Joint and Several Liability in Rhode Island
State-specific overview · Tort Law
Rhode Island applies joint and several liability broadly, with no statutory comparative fault restrictions on the doctrine.
How Rhode Island treats Joint and Several Liability
Rhode Island maintains traditional joint and several liability for multiple defendants, permitting plaintiffs to recover the full judgment from any defendant regardless of proportionate fault. The state has not adopted comparative negligence limitations that would cap or restrict joint and several liability based on a defendant's percentage of responsibility. Rhode Island courts apply the doctrine across personal injury and tort cases without significant statutory modification. This rule favors plaintiffs seeking recovery against multiple wrongdoers.
The general definition of Joint and Several Liability
Multiple defendants can each be held fully responsible for the entire judgment, not just their share.
When two or more people or companies are sued together for causing harm, the injured person can collect the full amount from any one of them, rather than having to split the recovery among all defendants. This means if you win a $100,000 judgment against three defendants, you can demand all $100,000 from just one of them, and that defendant can then try to recover their fair share from the others. It protects the injured person by ensuring they get paid even if some defendants can't pay.
Read the full Joint and Several Liability entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Rhode Island.