§ 32-38-01 — Right to contribution

North Dakota § 32-38-01

• Jurisdiction: North Dakota
• Title 32: Judicial Remedies
• Ch. 32-38: Contribution Among Tort-Feasors

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1. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, if two or more persons become jointly or
severally liable in tort for the same injury to person or property or for the same
wrongful death, there is a right of contribution among them even though judgment has
not been recovered against all or any of them.
2. The right of contribution exists only in favor of a tort-feasor who has paid more than
that tort-feasor's pro rata share of the common liability, and that tort-feasor's total
recovery is limited to the amount paid by that tort-feasor in excess of that tort-feasor's
pro rata share. No tort-feasor is compelled to make contribution beyond that
tort-feasor's own pro rata share of the entire liability.
3. There is no right of contribution in favor of any tort-feasor who has intentionally
(willfully or wantonly) caused or contributed to the injury or wrongful death.
4. A tort-feasor who enters into a settlement with a claimant is not entitled to recover
contribution from another tort-feasor whose liability for the injury or wrongful death is
not extinguished by the settlement nor in respect to any amount paid in a settlement
which is in excess of what was reasonable.
5. A liability insurer, who by payment has discharged in full or in part the liability of a
tort-feasor and has thereby discharged in full its obligation as insurer, is subrogated to
the tort-feasor's right of contribution to the extent of the amount it has paid in excess of
the tort-feasor's pro rata share of the common liability. This provision does not limit or
impair any right of subrogation arising from any other relationship.
6. This chapter does not impair any right or indemnity under existing law. If one
tort-feasor is entitled to indemnity from another, the right of the indemnity obligee is for
indemnity and not contribution, and the indemnity obligor is not entitled to contribution
from the obligee for any portion of the obligor's indemnity obligation.
7. This chapter shall not apply to breaches of trust or of other fiduciary obligation.