Pierringer Release Law and Legal Definition
Pierringer release refers to a proportionate share settlement agreement. The legal effect of the pierringer release is that each tortfeasor pays only its proportionate share of liability, and no more, and, thus, there can be no liability for contribution. Fundamental elements constituting Pierringer release are:
a. The release of the settling defendants from the action and the discharge of a part of the cause of action equal to that part attributable to the settling defendants' causal negligence;
b. The reservation of the remainder of plaintiffs causes of action against the nonsettling defendants; and
c. Plaintiff’s agreement to indemnify the settling defendants from any claims of contribution made by the non settling parties and to satisfy any judgment obtained from the non settling defendants to the extent the settling defendants have been released.
