Opinion ID: 1505643
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Effect of the Release Under New Mexico Law

Text: Section 4 of New Mexico's version of the Uniform Contribution Among Tortfeasors Act provides, A release by the injured party of one joint tortfeasor, whether before or after judgment, does not discharge the other tortfeasor unless the release so provides.  N.M.Stat.Ann. § 41-3-4 (emphasis added). In Johnson v. City of Las Cruces, 86 N.M. 196, 521 P.2d 1037 (Ct.App.1974), a New Mexico Court of Appeals interpreted this statute and held that a release discharges any tortfeasor who is named or who comes within a named general class. The court said that the releasor's failure to allege any ambiguity in the releasing instrument precluded any contention that all tortfeasors were not intended to be discharged. Although the New Mexico Supreme Court did not approve or disapprove this holding, we must assume that Johnson correctly states the applicable rule in New Mexico. [3] Because Johnson is contrary to our decision in McMillen v. Klingensmith , we must decide whether Texas or New Mexico law applies in construing the release.