Hayes v. City of Wilmington

Defendant Cooper was entitled, if at all, to have the additional defendants made parties defendant under the statute which permits contribution between joint tort-feasors, G.S. 1-240.

At common law no right of action for contribution existed between or among joint tort-feasors. The question could not-be raised either by independent suit, after judgment had been rendered against one of the joint tort-feasors, or in the original action by the party injured against one of them. The right is purely statutory, Hoft v. Mohn, 215 N.C. 397, 2 S.E. 2d 23; Lineberger v. Gastonia, 196 N.C. 445, 146 S.E.…