2015 -- S 0577

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LC001367

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE - PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR

ACTIONS - CONTRIBUTION AMONG JOINT TORTFEASORS

     Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, Lynch, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: March 03, 2015

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 10-6 of the General Laws entitled "Contribution Among Joint

Tortfeasors" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     10-6-2.1. Liability for additional bodily harm; right of contribution for additional

bodily harm. -- (a) If a negligent or intentionally tortious actor is liable for another's bodily

injury, he/she is also subject to liability for any additional bodily harm resulting from normal

efforts of third persons in rendering aid which the other's injury reasonably requires, irrespective

of whether such efforts are done in a proper or negligent manner.

     (b) A tortfeasor who has discharged the common liability of himself/herself and third

persons rendering aid shall have a right of contribution from those third persons to the extent the

latter's negligence caused additional bodily harm.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC001367

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE - PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR

ACTIONS - CONTRIBUTION AMONG JOINT TORTFEASORS

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     This act would provide that an original tortfeasor is liable for a victim's enhanced injury

from negligent third-party treatment, subject to a right of contribution against a subsequent third

person for the amount of the negligently enhanced injury.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001367

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