When two or more individuals combine to commit a tort, they are joint tortfeasors. The liability of joint tortfeasors is 'joint and several'.

• A. Both statements are true
• B. First statement true, second false
• C. First false, second true
• D. Both false

Answer: (A)

Joint tortfeasors occur when two or more people contribute to a tort, sharing responsibility for the harm. The liability is joint and several, meaning the plaintiff can recover the full amount of damages from any one of the responsible parties. That defendant can then pursue contribution from the others for their share. This structure protects the injured party by ensuring recovery even if some defendants are insolvent or hard to collect from. In practical terms, it doesn’t mean each defendant is limited to only their own fault amount; rather, any one can satisfy the whole judgment, with others obligated to contribute according to their proportion of fault where the law allows. In many EMS and public-safety contexts, this principle helps ensure a victim can obtain full compensation even if one party lacks sufficient funds. Some jurisdictions have moved toward several liability with contribution, but the classic doctrine still treats joint tortfeasors as jointly and severally liable in the typical understanding.