In a multi-party wrongful death action, the Norfolk Superior Court denied a request from one settling co-defendant to be dismissed from the case under M.G.L.c. 231B, the law governing claims for contribution among joint tortfeasors. The settling co-defendant sought to have all co-defendants’ cross-claims for contribution dismissed against it, but at the same time, refused to allow co-defendants to inspect the “confidential” settlement agreement. The Court concluded that the settling co-defendant failed to sustain its burden of proof to establish the existence of a “good faith” settlement within the meaning of M.G.L.c. 231B §4 when it put forth an affidavit stating the amount of the settlement, but sought to keep confidential other terms of the written settlement agreement. Estate of Turner v. Red Brick Road, LLC et al, Norfolk Superior Court, C.A. 2182-CV-00743 (The Honorable Adam L. Sisitsky).
