Impleaded

To implead means to bring someone or something into a legal action as a defendant or a party. This action formally names an individual, entity, or object involved in a lawsuit, establishing their role and responsibility within the legal proceedings. The process of impleading typically involves serving a summons or other legal document, which compels the individual to respond and participate in the case. This act often arises from a claim of liability, where the impleaded party is perceived to share responsibility or potentially contribute to the cause of action.

Impleaded meaning with examples

• The property owner was impleaded in the lawsuit after a structural engineer’s report revealed a hidden defect in the building design. The plaintiff sought to hold him accountable, due to his supervision of construction. Despite his protestations of innocence, he had to respond to the summons and become a formal defendant. The lawsuit's success hinges on the ability to demonstrate his complicity and responsibility for the damage.
• In a corporate dispute, the holding company was impleaded to a case alleging breach of contract by a subsidiary. The plaintiffs asserted the holding company exerted undue influence over its subsidiary, thus making it liable. The legal maneuvers involved included requests for information and depositions and made the legal arena more complex. The holding company attempted to distance itself, however, legal filings compelled its active participation.
• Following a car accident, the insurance company was impleaded as a third-party defendant by the driver, who alleged negligence on its part due to a lack of due diligence regarding the vehicle's maintenance records. The driver hoped to lessen his own liability by shifting some blame onto the insurer. The insurance company in turn, contested the accusation, adding a further point of contention to the lawsuit.
• During a major environmental case, several local businesses were impleaded, owing to their activities potentially causing pollution of a nearby river. Despite having some connections, these businesses argued that their activities did not impact the river. The environmental organization argued that they bear some responsibility for the environmental damages. The litigation continues to determine legal accountability.