§ 10-6-12. Court-approved settlements.
The following provisions apply solely and exclusively to judicially approved good-faith settlements of claims relating to the Feld Entertainment/Ringling Brothers Circus accident on May 4, 2014.
(a) A release by a claimant of one joint tortfeasor, whether before or after judgment, does not discharge the other joint tortfeasors unless the release so provides, but such release shall reduce the claim against the other joint tortfeasors in the amount of the consideration paid for the release.
(b) A release by a claimant of one joint tortfeasor relieves them from liability to make a contribution to another joint tortfeasor.
(c) For purposes of this section, a good-faith settlement is one that does not exhibit collusion, fraud, dishonesty, or other wrongful or tortious conduct intended to prejudice the non-settling tortfeasor(s), irrespective of the settling or non-settling tortfeasors’ proportionate share of liability.
History of Section.P.L. 2019, ch. 23, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 24, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 10 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Procedure in Particular Actions
Chapter 10-6 - Contribution Among Joint Tortfeasors
Section 10-6-1. - Short title.
Section 10-6-2. - “Joint tortfeasors” defined.
Section 10-6-3. - Right of contribution declared.
Section 10-6-4. - Payment as prerequisite — Limitation of actions.
Section 10-6-5. - Separate settlement with injured person.
Section 10-6-6. - Effect of judgment against one tortfeasor.
Section 10-6-7. - Effect of release of one tortfeasor on liability of others.
Section 10-6-9. - Right of indemnity preserved.
Section 10-6-10. - Uniformity of construction.