Court OKs Respirator Settlement That Extinguished Third-Party Claims

MT. VERNON, Ill. - A settlement reached amongst several respirator companies that included amounts to cover the release of other potentially liable third-party defendants was entered in good faith, a state appeals court has held. Davis, et al. v. American Optical Corp., et al., No. 5-07-0385 (Ill. App., Fifth Dist.).

The Fifth District Illinois Court of Appeals affirmed a ruling Dec. 3 that the Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act permits a settling defendant to pay more than its pro rata share of a settlement in order to release a non-settling third party. The court further held that such settlement agreements may …