What occurs when a plaintiff has been fully compensated by one tortfeasor?

When a plaintiff has been fully compensated by one tortfeasor, the principle that comes into play is the concept of "full satisfaction" of the claim. This doctrine operates under the idea that a plaintiff should not receive double recovery for the same loss. Once the plaintiff receives complete compensation, they are barred from pursuing additional claims against other tortfeasors for the same injury.

This means that if a plaintiff has already been made whole by one defendant, pursuing further actions against other tortfeasors who were also responsible would contravene the legal principle that one cannot recover more than the total amount of their damages. This helps maintain fairness in the legal system and prevents unjust enrichment of the plaintiff.

In contrast, the other options misunderstand the implications of full compensation. The plaintiff does not have the right to go after all tortfeasors for additional compensation, as it would lead to double recovery. Additionally, the requirement to repay the first tortfeasor does not apply here, because the payment represents compensation for damages, not a loan or obligation that must be returned. Lastly, the choice to pursue remaining tortfeasors is limited by the full satisfaction of the claim, reinforcing the idea that the plaintiff cannot seek more than what they have already