2A:15-5.3. Recovery of damages; apportionment among responsible parties

3. Except as provided in subsection d. of this section, the party so recovering may recover as follows:

a. The full amount of the damages from any party determined by the trier of fact to be 60% or more responsible for the total damages.

b. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1995, c.140.)

c. Only that percentage of the damages directly attributable to that party's negligence or fault from any party determined by the trier of fact to be less than 60% responsible for the total damages.

d. With regard to environmental tort actions, the following provisions shall apply:

(1) the party so recovering may recover the full amount of the compensatory damage award from any party determined to be liable , except in cases where the extent of negligence or fault can be apportioned. Such apportionment shall be done in accordance with section 2 of P.L.1973, c.146 (C.2A:15-5.2);

(2) in those cases where it is possible to apportion negligence or fault, if the party so recovering is unable to recover the percentage of compensatory damages attributable to a non-settling insolvent party's negligence or fault, that amount of compensatory damages may be recovered from any non-settling party in proportion to the percentage of liability attributed to that party; and

(3) notwithstanding the provisions of any other provision of law to the contrary, if the percentage of liability or fault of any party is found to be five percent or less, upon acceptance of that determination by that party and payment thereof in full, that party shall not be liable for any further claims for contribution regarding that action.

e. Any party who is compelled to pay more than his percentage share may seek contribution from the other joint tortfeasors.

f. As used in this section, "environmental tort action" means a civil action seeking damages for personal injuries or death where the cause of the damages is the negligent manufacture, use, disposal, handling, storage or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances.

L.1973,c.146,s.3; amended 1987,c.325,s.2; 1995,c.140,s.2.