Opinion ID: 1113530
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Liability of Co-Venturers

Text: Once the district court determined that a joint venture existed between Scott and Tonnemacher for the construction and sale of a house, it was not at liberty to apportion liability between the parties insofar as Radaker was concerned. All members of a joint venture are jointly and severally liable to third persons for wrongful acts committed in furtherance of the joint enterprise. Moreover, under principles of law related to joint ventures, the negligence or fraud of one venturer, while acting within the scope of the enterprise, may be imputed to co-venturers so as to render the latter liable for the injuries sustained by third persons as a result of the negligence or fraud. See NRS 87.150 (all partners jointly and severally liable); and see Christensen v. Superior Court, 54 Cal.3d 868, 2 Cal.Rptr.2d 79, 820 P.2d 181, 195 (Cal.1991); Tanner Companies v. Superior Court, 696 P.2d 693, 695 (Ariz.1985); Martin v. Chapel, Wilkinson, Riggs and Abney, 637 P.2d 81, 85-86 (Okla.1981); Stone-Fox, Inc. v. Vandehey Dev. Co., 290 Or. 779, 626 P.2d 1365, 1368-69 (1981); and Holliday v. Bannister, 741 P.2d 89, 93 (Wyo.1987). We conclude that the district court erred in apportioning the liability between the two venturers insofar as the apportionment applied to Radaker. As previously stated, Scott and Tonnemacher are both jointly and severally liable to Radaker for all damages sustained by the latter.