Which legal concept requires that defendants must act cooperatively for a concert of action claim?

The concept of joint liability is foundational in a concert of action claim, which refers to a situation where multiple parties are involved in a tortious act causing harm. In such cases, the law holds that all defendants can be held equally responsible for the entire harm caused. This is particularly relevant in cases where the actions of multiple individuals combine to produce a single harmful outcome, making it essential that these defendants cooperate or act together in the commission of the act.

This principle ensures that a plaintiff can recover damages from any one of the joint tortfeasors, providing a more comprehensive remedy since each party is accountable for the full extent of the damages, regardless of their individual share in the liability. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of the defendants' actions in contributing to the damage.

Other concepts, while related to liability in various contexts, do not specifically address the cooperative requirement necessary for a concert of action claim. For instance, a defect in design pertains to product liability and does not involve cooperative tortious actions. Strict liability deals with liability irrespective of fault, primarily in specific scenarios such as abnormally dangerous activities. Meanwhile, a joint venture pertains to a business relationship rather than liability arising from tort actions. These distinctions clarify why joint liability is the appropriate legal concept associated with