Opinion ID: 1607405
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Second Release

Text: ¶ 18. No analysis of the second release regarding Kent is required, should it be determined that Kent was released in 2000. The second release created no rights against Kent, a nonsignatory. The language of the September 17, 2002, Settlement Agreement and Release is clearly distinguishable from the release considered in J & J Timber. The J & J Timber instrument provided that [a]s part of a settlement the plaintiffs released the driver of the log truck from all liability and agreed to indemnify him against third-party claims.  J & J Timber, 932 So.2d at 2 (emphasis added). Specifically, the Receipt, Release and Indemnity Agreement identified the driver among the  released parties and provided [[t]he wrongful death beneficiaries] ... do hereby release, acquit and forever discharge, all of the said released parties, collectively and individually, from any and all actions and/or causes of action ... [resulting] from injuries and/or damages we received... [in the incident].... Id. (emphasis added). Accordingly, the import of J & J Timber was whether, as a matter of law, the release of a tortfeasor also serves as a release of the tortfeasor's employer from claims of vicarious liability, despite an attempt by the releasor to preserve the right to pursue such claims. Id. at 3 (emphasis added). This Court concluded that the release of a negligent employee, in any capacity, bars all claims of vicarious liability against the employer, despite a reservation of rights. Id. at 8 (emphasis added). ¶ 19. By contrast, the September 17, 2002, Settlement Agreement and Release released only one specific party to the litigation, Progressive. It did not release the driver or the driver's employer. Regarding Kent, the Whitakers agreed only that in making any pursuit of their claim with respect to the automobile accident, [the Whitakers] will not seek execution against personal assets of [Kent].... Kent, the employee, was not released, but rather was the beneficiary of an agreement not to levy a presumed judgment against his personal assets. See also Burt v. Duckworth, 206 So.2d 850, 853 (Miss. 1968) (it appears that Mrs. Burt did not execute a release to Campbell and International Paper Company although she did enter into an agreement not to sue them, retaining any rights that she had against the other parties involved.).