Release given to one tortfeasor among multiple liable reduces the claim against the remaining tortfeasors by the greatest of which amounts?

• A. The amount stipulated in the release
• B. The amount of consideration paid for the release
• C. The released tortfeasor's equitable share of the damages
• D. The total damages awarded

Answer: (A)

When several people share liability for the same harm, settling with and releasing one of them reduces what the plaintiff can claim from the others by the amount stated in that release. That release amount is treated as money already paid toward the plaintiff’s damages, so the remaining tortfeasors are only responsible for the balance. The other options aren’t controlling here: the consideration paid for the release may differ from what the release says or from the actual reduction; the released tortfeasor’s equitable share is about apportionment, not the fixed reduction; and the total damages awarded isn’t the measure of how much is subtracted—the release amount is. For example, if total damages are 100 and the release stipulates 40, the remaining tortfeasors face up to 60 in liability.