Martinez v. Lopez

RODOWSKY, Judge.

This case involves the Maryland version of the Uniform Contribution Among Tort-Feasors Act, Md.Code (1957, 1979 Repl.Vol.), Art. 50, §§ 16-24 (the Md. Act). There are two tort-feasors. One settled before trial under a pro rata release by paying more than double a jointly liable defendant’s pro rata share of the total claim as ultimately determined by the jury’s verdict. The issue is whether the amount paid by the settling defendant in excess of a pro rata share generally operates to reduce the total claim and, in this case where such a reduction produces a negative number,…