Staab v. Diocese of St. Cloud

OPINION

DIETZEN, Justice.

This appeal requires us to interpret the meaning of Minn.Stat. § 604.02, subd. 1 (2010), to determine whether a defendant must pay an entire damages award when a special jury verdict attributes 50% of the negligence to the sole defendant and 50% of the negligence to a nonparty to the lawsuit. Appellant Staab brought suit against respondent Diocese of St. Cloud for injuries she sustained on premises it owned and operated. The district court ruled that Minn.Stat. § 604.02, subd. 1, does not apply in an action against only one defendant and ordered the defendant to pay…