(a) Except as provided in subdivision (e), a party found liable for costs recoverable under this chapter who establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that only a portion of those costs are attributable to that party’s actions shall be required to pay only for that portion.
(b) Except as provided in subdivision (e), if the trier of fact finds the evidence insufficient to establish each party’s portion of costs under subdivision (a), the court shall apportion those costs, to the extent practicable, according to equitable principles, among the defendants.
(c) The standard of liability for costs recoverable pursuant to this chapter is strict liability.
(d) A person who has incurred response or corrective action costs in accordance with this chapter, Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100), or the federal act may seek contribution or indemnity from any person who is liable pursuant to this chapter. An action to enforce a claim may be brought as a cross-complaint by any defendant in an action brought pursuant to Section 25360 or this section, or in a separate action after the person seeking contribution or indemnity has paid response or corrective action costs in accordance with this chapter, Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100), or the federal act. A plaintiff or cross-complainant seeking contribution or indemnity shall give written notice to the director upon filing an action or cross-complaint under this section. In resolving claims for contribution or indemnity, the court may allocate costs among liable parties using appropriate equitable factors.
(e) Notwithstanding this chapter, a response action contractor who is found liable for any costs recoverable under this chapter and who establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that only a portion of those costs are attributable to the response action contractor’s actions shall be required to pay only that portion of the costs attributable to the response action contractor’s actions.
(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 458, Sec. 2. (AB 275) Effective January 1, 2016.)
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