Opinion ID: 1598427
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Flynn's Intent in Signing the Release

Text: Flynn alleges she unintentionally released Lockhart from liability claiming that her attorney led her to believe that the release would not preclude a lawsuit against Lockhart, provided she retained different counsel. She was unaware that the term joint tortfeasor applied to Lockhart. The release is unambiguous. Krambeck v. Sunshine Ins. Co., 505 N.W.2d 131, 133 (S.D.1993); Enchanted World Doll Museum v. Buskohl, 398 N.W.2d 149, 151 (S.D.1986). So whatever her attorney may have led her to believe about the release, its terms and not her belief, control. Flynn, therefore, cannot offer her attorney's alleged remarks to her about the release to vary its terms. SDCL 53-8-5; Carr v. Benike, Inc., 365 N.W.2d 4 (S.D.1985); Ramsdell Constr. v. Aetna Cas. Ins. Co., 921 F.2d 741 (8th Cir.1990). Flynn cites authority for the precept that if an injured party has not received full satisfaction, a release of one tortfeasor discharges no other tortfeasors. Luxenburg v. Can-Tex Industries, 257 N.W.2d 804, 807 (Minn.1977). South Dakota codified this rule in SDCL 15-8-17, but it will not apply when a party signs a general release which specifically exonerates all joint tortfeasors. Cf. Bixler by Bixler v. J.C. Penney Co., Inc., 376 N.W.2d 209 (Minn.1985). The unambiguous language of the release Flynn signed left no suggestion that it was intended only as a partial release.