# Courts and Judicial Proceedings (GCJ)

## Title 3. Courts of General Jurisdiction -- Jurisdiction/special Causes of Action

### Subtitle 14. Maryland Uniform Contribution Among Joint Tort-Feasors Act

#### Section 3-1401

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Injured person" means any person having a claim in tort for injury to person or property.

(c) "Joint tort-feasors" means two or more persons jointly or severally liable in tort for the same injury to person or property, whether or not judgment has been recovered against all or some of them.

#### Section 3-1401.1

This title does not apply to a public welfare claim brought under Sec. 6-106.2 of the State Government Article.

#### Section 3-1402

(a) The right of contribution exists among joint tort-feasors.

(b) A joint tort-feasor is not entitled to a money judgment for contribution until the joint tort-feasor has by payment discharged the common liability or has paid more than a pro rata share of the common liability.

(c) 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.

#### Section 3-1403

The recovery of a judgment by the injured person against one joint tort-feasor does not discharge the other joint tort-feasor.

#### Section 3-1404

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 it 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.

#### Section 3-1405

A release by the injured person of one joint tort-feasor does not relieve the joint tort-feasor from liability to make contribution to another joint tort-feasor unless the release:

(1) Is given before the right of the other tort-feasor to secure a money judgment for contribution has accrued; and

(2) 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 other tort-feasors.

#### Section 3-1406

This subtitle does not impair any right of indemnity under existing law.

#### Section 3-1407

This subtitle shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law of those states that enact it.

#### Section 3-1408

This subtitle may be cited as the Maryland Uniform Contribution Among Joint Tort-Feasors Act.

#### Section 3-1409

If any provision of this subtitle or the application of this subtitle to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity may not affect other provisions or applications of the subtitle that can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application, and to this end the provisions of this subtitle are declared to be severable.

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Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)