Iowa Code » Chapter 668 — LIABILITY IN TORT — COMPARATIVE FAULT
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 668.7 (2026)

Effect of release

✓ current as of July 2026
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A release, covenant not to sue, or similar agreement entered into by a claimant and a person liable discharges that person from all liability for contribution, but it does not discharge any other persons liable upon the same claim unless it so provides. However, the claim of the releasing person against other persons is reduced by the amount of the released person’s equitable share of the obligation, as determined in section 668.3, subsection 4. 84 Acts, ch 1293, §7 Referred to in §668.2, 668.3

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 51 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1961–2025 · leading case: Aid Ins. Co. v. Davis Cnty., 426 N.W.2d 631 (Iowa 1988).
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Aid Ins. Co. v. Davis Cnty., 426 N.W.2d 631 (Iowa 1988). · cites it 48× “In interpreting the effect of this release, both parties turn to Iowa Code section 668.7. This section states: A release .”
Fell v. Kewanee Farm Equip. Co., 457 N.W.2d 911 (Iowa 1990). · cites it 16× “A person who has been released pursuant to section 668.7. 4. A third party defendant.”
Nationwide Agribusiness Ins. Co., as Subrogee of Farmers Coop. Co. v. Pgi Int'l, Squibb-Taylor, Inc., Cox Mfg. Co. D/B/A Dalton Ag Prods., Inc., & Cnh Corp. A/K/A Cnh Am., LLC A/S/O Dmi, Inc., 882 N.W.2d 512 (Iowa Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 10× “In the case of a release, Iowa Code section 668.7 governs: “A release ... or similar agreement entered into by a claimant and a person liable discharges that person from all liability for contribution, but it does not discharge any other persons liable upon the same claim unless…”
Thomas v. Solberg, 442 N.W.2d 73 (Iowa 1989). · cites it 16× “See Iowa Code § 668.7 (release, covenant not to sue, or similar agreement between claimant and a liable party discharges liable party from liability for contribution).”
Hagen v. Texaco Refining & Mktg., Inc., 526 N.W.2d 531 (Iowa 1995). · cites it 14× “3 allows fault to be apportioned among the claimant, the defendants, a person who has been released under section 668.7 and any third-party defendant.”
Spaur v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., 510 N.W.2d 854 (Iowa 1994). · cites it 8× “By definition a “party” as used in our comparative fault statute includes a claimant, a person named as a defendant, a person who has been released pursuant to section 668.7, and a third-party defendant.”
Biddle v. Sartori Mem'l Hosp., 518 N.W.2d 795 (Iowa 1994). · cites it 11× “2d at 1239 ; Iowa Code § 668.7 (release “discharges [settling party] from all liability for contribution”).”
Dumont v. Keota Farmers Coop., 447 N.W.2d 402 (Iowa Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 24× “A person who has been released pursuant to section 668.7. 4. A third-party defendant.”
Britt-Tech Corp. v. Am. Magnetics Corp., 463 N.W.2d 26 (Iowa 1990). · cites it 20× “To do so the release must be drawn with a view to Iowa Code section 668.7. [3] The release obtained by Britt-Tech from the Hardy estate stated: The Estate of Hardy does hereby remise, release and forever discharge Britt-Tech Corporation, its successors and assigns, and all other…”
Shari Kinseth & Ricky Kinseth, Coexecutors of the Est. of Larry Kinseth, & Shari Kinseth Individually v. Weil-McLain & State of Iowa ex rel. Civil Reparations Trust Fund, 913 N.W.2d 55 (Iowa 2018). · cites it 2× “Iowa's comparative fault statute permits juries to attribute fault to parties other than the defendant, including "third-party defendants and persons who have been released pursuant to section 668.7." Iowa Code § 668.3 (2) (2007).”
Kragel v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 537 N.W.2d 699 (Iowa 1995). · cites it 6× “A “party” as used in our comparative fault statute includes a claimant, a person named as a defendant, a person who has been released pursuant to Iowa Code section 668.7, and a third-party defendant.”
Reese v. Werts Corp., 379 N.W.2d 1 (Iowa 1985). · cites it 6× “-2(3) incorporates section 668.7, that provision must apply as well.”
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