Can a defendant in a tort action recover attorney's fees from a third party defendant?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from Watson v. Department of Transportation, 68 Cal.App.4th 885, 80 Cal.Rptr.2d 594 (Cal. App. 1998):

The claim was summarily rejected in Davis v. Air Technical Industries, Inc. (1978) 22 Cal.3d 1, 7, fn. 9, 148 Cal.Rptr. 419, 582 P.2d 1010: "[T]he Prentice language cited by respondent ... could be read to entitle exonerated defendants in commonplace, multiparty tort actions to recover their attorney's fees from unrelated codefendants who were held liable. Such [68 Cal.App.4th 894] a rule was not intended

Page 600

Other Questions


If the full credit bid rule is extended to bar fraud actions against third parties, can appellant bring an action against the third party? (California, United States of America)
Is a plaintiff entitled to recover time, attorney fees and attorney fees incurred by a plaintiff in a personal injury action against a third party? (California, United States of America)
Does Section 1268.710 of the California Constitution allow a defendant in an eminent domain action to recover costs incurred in defending the action? (California, United States of America)
When a criminal defendant requests document discovery from a third party, does the third party respond by delivering materials to the clerk of the court? (California, United States of America)
Can an adverse party in a personal injury action recover fees paid or payable to his own attorney for services rendered in that action? (California, United States of America)
Can a contractual attorney's fee provision allow the prevailing party to recover attorney's fees in a non-contractual or tort action? (California, United States of America)
In a personal injury action brought by a former wife against her ex-partner in a civil action, in addition to a similar action against the husband in a separate action, can the court order return to husband in the civil action? (California, United States of America)
When a plaintiff joins a separate cause of action for which attorney fees are permitted, can the prevailing party recover on the other side of the action? (California, United States of America)
In a medical malpractice action, is a third party defendant liable to the employer for negligence? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant defend against criminal charges by presenting evidence of third party culpability? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.