What concept refers to the distribution of liability based on a defendant's percentage of responsibility?

The concept that refers to the distribution of liability based on a defendant's percentage of responsibility is proportionate liability. This approach allows for a more equitable allocation of damages in cases where multiple parties may be responsible for a wrongful act or negligence. Under proportionate liability, each defendant is held accountable only for the portion of damages that corresponds to their degree of fault or involvement in the event. This means that if one defendant is found to be 30% responsible for an incident, they would only be liable for 30% of the total damages awarded, thereby ensuring that each party pays only for the harm they directly caused.

This concept contrasts with joint liability, where all defendants can be held fully responsible for the entire amount of damages, regardless of their individual contributions to the wrongdoing. Absolute liability imposes full liability without regard to fault, whereas vicarious liability refers to a situation where one party can be held liable for the actions of another, based on their relationship. Understanding proportionate liability is crucial for analyzing liability in various legal contexts, especially in tort law where multiple defendants may be involved.