Beck v. Cianchetti

I

Celebrezze, C.J.

The first question presented for our determination is whether the phrase “all other persons” interspersed with other language on the printed insurance form released an unnamed person.

Under common law, a general unqualified release executed in favor of one charged with a wrong extinguished the right of action against all those jointly liable for the same wrong. Whitt v. Hutchison (1975), 43 Ohio St. 2d 53 [72 O.O. 2d 30], The injustices of this traditional rule were recognized and discussed in Whitt and this court concluded that the strict limitations had been largely…