Opinion
No. 81-402
Decided April 29, 1983
1. Torts — Contribution Between Joint Tortfeasors — Common Law The supreme court noted its long adherence to the traditional common-law rule prohibiting contribution among joint tortfeasors and said that judicial adoption of a contribution-among-joint-tortfeasors rule would bring with it a multitude of ramifications and that this was a matter more appropriate for legislative action, particularly where it was the legislature itself that adopted the comparative negligence statute. RSA 507:7-a (Supp. 1979).
2. Torts — Indemnity — Joint Tortfeasors One joint tortfeasor can obtain indemnification against another where the indemnitee's liability is derivative or imputed by law, or where an express or implied duty to indemnify exists.
3. Contribution and Indemnity — Indemnity — Generally Although language in an earlier case appeared to signal adoption of the active-passive negligence doctrine, the law was clarified in later cases, and the supreme court would not deviate from the position that indemnity is permitted only when one becomes liable to a third party because of the imputed negligence of another, or when an express or implied duty to indemnify exists.
4. Torts — Indemnity — Joint Tortfeasors Trial court properly dismissed indemnification action brought by repairer of bucket-lift device against the manufacturer of the device, where repairer alleged that the manufacturer's role in creating a defect in the equipment was "active" negligence, while its own alleged negligence in failing to discover the defect was "passive," since the action was based on the active-passive negligence doctrine.
Wadleigh, Starr, Peters, Dunn Kohls, of Manchester (John A. Lassey on the brief and orally), for the plaintiff.
Ransmeier Spellman, of Concord (John C. Ransmeier on the brief, and Lawrence E. Spellman orally), for the defendant.
Nighswander, Martin, KillKelley Kidder P.A., of Laconia (David J. KillKelley on the brief and orally), for Mary M. Brown, administratrix of the estate of Ronald R. Brown.
Aeschliman Tober, of Portsmouth (Nicholas R. Aeschliman on the brief and orally), for the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association, as amicus curiae.
A. J. McDonough P.A., of Manchester, a. (Kenneth G. Bouchard on the brief and orally), for certain members of the defense bar of the State of New Hampshire, as amicus curiae.
Brown and Nixon P.A., of Manchester (Leslie C. Nixon and Mark H. Campbell on the brief), by brief for Elmer H. York, administrator of the estate of James E. York, a., as amici curiae.
Kearns, Colliander, Donahue Tucker P.A., of Exeter (David S. Brown on the brief), by brief for Collectramatic, Inc., as amicus curiae.
Orr and Reno P.A., of Concord (William L. Chapman on the brief), by brief for Correct Manufacturing Corporation, as amicus curiae.
Sulloway, Hollis Soden, of Concord (John W. Mitchell on the brief), by brief for the American Insurance Association and the Alliance of American Insurers, as amici curiae.
The plaintiff, Consolidated Utility Equipment Services, Inc. (CUES), appeals from the Trial Court's (DiClerico, J.) dismissal of its indemnity action against the defendant, Emhart Manufacturing Corporation. We affirm.
In October 1976, Ronald Brown, an employee of Trees, Inc., was killed when a hydraulic bucket-lift device (known as a "skyworker"), in which he was riding, collapsed. Approximately five months earlier, Trees, Inc., had hired CUES to undertake certain repairs to the "sky-worker" and to inspect it generally.
Following Brown's death, his administratrix brought suit in Vermont against Emhart, the manufacturer of the bucket-lift equipment, alleging that Emhart was responsible for the decedent's death. The administratrix also brought suit in New Hampshire against CUES, claiming that CUES negligently failed to discover a crack in the equipment which allegedly caused the collapse of the unit. The Vermont litigation was settled, but the New Hampshire action is still pending.
CUES subsequently sued Emhart for indemnification, claiming that Emhart should bear all liability for Brown's death, due to the fact that Emhart's role in creating the alleged defect in the equipment was "active," while CUES' alleged negligence, in failing to discover the defect, was only "passive." The trial court dismissed the indemnity action, and CUES appealed.
This court has long adhered to the traditional common-law rule prohibiting contribution, a partial shifting of liability, among joint tortfeasors. See Scahill v. Miniter, 101 N.H. 56, 57, 132 A.2d 140, 142 (1957); Company v. Railroad, 62 N.H. 159, 160 (1882). However, we have not previously had the opportunity to consider the no-contribution rule in the context of our comparative negligence statute, RSA 507:7-a (Supp. 1979), which was enacted in 1969.
Arguments presented by counsel for the parties, and for others interested in the issues involved in this case, persuade us that the judicial adoption of a contribution-among-joint-tortfeasors rule in New Hampshire at this time would bring with it a multitude of ramifications, the effect of many of which cannot reasonably be anticipated in the context of a single case. See generally Comment, Reconciling Comparative Negligence, Contribution, and Joint and Several Liability, 34 WASH. LEE L. REV. 1159 (1977). One procedural device for resolving contribution claims would be to allow impleader of joint tortfeasors, a matter which could be left to the sound discretion of the trial court. See, e.g., American Motorcycle Ass'n v. Superior Court, 20 Cal.3d 578, 606, 578 P.2d 899, 917, 146 Cal.Rptr. 182, 200 (1978); FED. R. CIV. P. 14(a), 42(b). Another option would be to require joint tortfeasors to resolve contribution claims and disputes after the plaintiff has collected a final settlement or judgment. We are convinced that the task of considering and weighing the ramifications of such options is, in the first instance, a matter more appropriate for legislative action, particularly where it was the legislature itself that adopted the comparative-negligence concept.
Notwithstanding our continued adherence to the no-contribution rule, one joint tortfeasor can obtain indemnification, a complete shifting of liability, against another where the indemnitee's liability is derivative or imputed by law, see William H. Field Co. v. Nuroco Woodwork, Inc., 115 N.H. 632, 634, 348 A.2d 716, 718 (1975) (citing Morrissette v. Sears, Roebuck Co., 114 N.H. 384, 387, 322 A.2d 7, 9 (1974)), or where an express or implied duty to indemnify exists. See Sears, Roebuck Co. v. Philip, 112 N.H. 282, 286, 294 A.2d 211, 213 (1972); Wentworth Hotel v. Gray, Inc., 110 N.H. 458, 460-61, 272 A.2d 583, 585 (1970).
A number of jurisdictions have allowed indemnification in the past where the indemnitee's negligence was passive (i.e., failure to discover a defect) and the indemnitor's negligence was active. However, in light of contemporary comparative negligence statutes, such indemnification has been disallowed. See, e.g., Hendrickson v. Minnesota Power Light Co., 258 Minn. 368, 373, 104 N.W.2d 843, 848 (1960) (overruled by Tolbert v. Gerber Industries, Inc., 255 N.W.2d 362, 367-68 (Minn. 1977)); Jackson v. Associated Dry Goods Corp., 13 N.Y.2d 112, 116-17, 192 N.E.2d 167, 169-70, 242 N.Y.S.2d 210, 213-14 (1963) (overruled by Dole v. Dow Chem. Co., 30 N.Y.2d 143, 153, 282 N.E.2d 288, 295, 331 N.Y.S.2d 382, 391-92 (1972)). Language in Morrissette v. Sears, Roebuck Co., 114 N.H. at 387, 322 A.2d at 9, appeared to signal this court's adoption of the active-passive negligence doctrine. As the law has been clarified by Nuroco Woodwork, Inc., 115 N.H. at 634, 348 A.2d at 718, and later cases, however, we have not deviated, and do not now deviate, from the position that indemnity is permitted only when one becomes liable to a third party because of the imputed negligence of another, Baker v. Lord, 119 N.H. 868, 870, 409 A.2d 789, 789-90 (1979), or when an express or implied duty to indemnify exists.
Accordingly, because CUES' indemnity action against Emhart was based upon the active-passive negligence doctrine, we hold that the trial judge properly dismissed the case.
Affirmed.
BOIS, J., dissented in part; the others concurred.
While I question the majority's inference that we have never approved the active-passive negligence doctrine as a basis for indemnity, see Morrissette v. Sears, Roebuck Co., 114 N.H. 384, 387, 322 A.2d 7, 9 (1974); Wentworth Hotel v. Gray, Inc., 110 N.H. 458, 461, 272 A.2d 583, 585 (1970), I agree that the doctrine should have no effect under our law in the future. In conjunction with this ruling, however, I would permit contribution on a comparative basis among non-settling joint tortfeasors.
The current rule prohibiting contribution among joint tortfeasors is grossly inequitable because it permits a joint tortfeasor to avoid liability if he is not sued, while it forces the tortfeasor who is sued to bear the entire burden of a loss, even if he was only marginally at fault. Numerous jurisdictions have recognized this inequity and have adopted contribution either by court decision or by statute. See W. PROSSER, HANDBOOK OF THE LAW OF TORTS 50, at 306-07 (4th ed. 1971).
I cannot agree with the majority that the adoption of contribution among joint tortfeasors should be left to the legislature. The current no-contribution rule was adopted through the judicial process and may be modified or abolished by that process. See, e.g., Best v. Yerkes, 247 Iowa 800, 810, 77 N.W.2d 23, 29 (1956); Hobbs v. Hurley, 117 Me. 449, 451-53, 104 A. 815, 816-17 (1918); Ellis v. Chicago N.W. R. Co., 167 Wis. 392, 409-10, 167 N.W. 1048, 1053-54 (1918). Furthermore, the enactment of the comparative negligence statute, RSA 507:7-a (Supp. 1979), has signaled a legislative preference for proportionate allocation of fault, and comparative contribution would foster the legislative policy.
The limitation of contribution to non-settling parties would insure that a settling party who in good faith obtained a covenant not to sue would be relieved of any further involvement or liability after the execution of the settlement agreement. See UNIFORM CONTRIBUTION AMONG TORTFEASORS ACT, 9 U.L.A. 4(b) and accompanying commissioner's comment, at 98-100 (1955 rev. act). If several non-settling parties remained, then their liability could be determined on a relative or comparative basis after opportunity for impleader. It must be noted, however, that the current versions of RSA 507:7-b (Supp. 1979) and RSA 507:7-c (Supp. 1979) would pose a practical barrier to the proportionate allocation of fault when, as a result of prior settlements, only one party remained in the litigation.
In cases not involving settlement agreements, a defendant could easily be permitted to implead other tortfeasors, subject to the trial judge's discretion to sever the underlying action from the contribution suits. This process would protect the underlying plaintiff's interests, guarantee the proportionate allocation of fault, and promote judicial economy.
Because Emhart has settled in the underlying suit, I would agree that it should not be liable to CUES in indemnity or contribution. Nevertheless, I would permit CUES to seek contribution against any non-settling parties.