Smith v. Jackson

This case presents the issue of whether a defendant in a tort action can maintain an action for contribution against other joint and several tortfeasors after the statute of limitation on the original claim has run. We hold he can pursuant to RCW 4.22, and therefore reverse the trial court's summary judgment order dismissing this contribution action.

Facts

On February 24, 1979, a car driven by Marian Smith collided with a car driven by Richard Jackson. Marian's daughter, Elizabeth, and mother, Mabel Sharp, were injured in the crash and Marian's father was killed. On February 19, 1982, just 5…