Beech Aircraft Corporation, Petitioners v. Dr. Wiley J. Jinkins, Iii, Respondents

Summary

The Texas Supreme Court affirmed the Court of Appeals, holding that a defendant who settles a plaintiff’s entire claim cannot preserve a right to contribution under the original contribution statute, the comparative negligence statute, or the common‑law contribution scheme. The Court reasoned that contribution requires a judgment against the party seeking contribution and that the settlement agreement does not create such a judgment, and that the statutes do not grant contribution rights to settling parties. The decision emphasizes that a settling defendant may only settle its proportionate share of liability. Justice Ray dissented, arguing that a settling joint tortfeasor should be permitted to seek contribution.