Derecho de Contribución entre Responsables Compensatorios

Explicación Simple

Si varias personas causan un daño, pueden compartir lo que tienen que pagar. Pero solo si alguien ya pagó más de lo que le tocaba, puede pedirle a los demás que le ayuden a cubrir esa parte.

Es como cuando varios amigos deciden comprar una pizza. Si uno paga más porque no había suficiente dinero, puede pedirle a los otros que le devuelvan su parte después.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan, Carla y Luis causan un accidente de auto. La víctima, Ana, demanda a Juan y gana $30,000. Aunque Juan pague, Carla y Luis también podrían tener que aportar, a menos que Juan llegue a un acuerdo con Ana que los excluya.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

42 Pa.C.S. 8324 - Right Of Contribution (a) General rule.--The right of contribution exists among joint tort-feasors. (b) Payment required.--A joint tort-feasor is not entitled to a money judgment for contribution until he has by payment discharged the common liability or has paid more than his pro rata share thereof. (c) Effect of settlement.--A joint tort-feasor who enters into a settlement with the injured person is not entitled to recover contribution from another joint tort-feasor whose liability to the injured person is not extinguished by the settlement. 42 Pa.C.S. 8325 - Effect Of Judgment The recovery of a judgment by the injured person against one joint tort-feasor does not discharge the other joint tort-feasors. 42 Pa.C.S. 8326 - Effect Of Release As To Other Tort-feasors A release by the injured person of one joint tort-feasor, whether before or after judgment, does not discharge the other tort-feasors unless the release so provides, but reduces the claim against the other tort-feasors in the amount of the consideration paid for the release or in any amount or proportion by which the release provides that the total claim shall be reduced if greater than the consideration paid. 42 Pa.C.S. 8327 - Liability To Make Contribution As Affected By Release A release by the injured person of one joint tort-feasor does not relieve him from liability to make contribution to another tort-feasor, unless the release is given before the right of the other tort-feasor to secure a money judgment for contribution has accrued and provides for a reduction to the extent of the pro rata share of the released tort-feasor of the injured person's damages recoverable against all the other tort-feasors.