Friday, May 16th, 2003 — Minnesota legislators have approved a joint-and-several liability reform measure that increases the level of fault required before a defendant can be held fully responsible for a damage award. Under the bill, defendants must be determined to be more than 50% at fault to be held fully liable for damages, up from the state‘s current 15% threshold.
The Minnesota Senate‘s passage of the bill Tuesday followed approval by the House earlier this year. A spokesman for Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he is expected to sign the measure.
The Insurance Federation of Minnesota, along with several other business groups, supported the legislation.