Misjoinder Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Misjoinder, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Misjoinder?

(n) Misjoinder is the combining of various parties with diversified interest, causes with unrelated actions, agreements and contracts that are unrelated etc into a single law suit. A misjoinder is against the statute but resorted when defendants are involved in multiple allegation to show the gravity of their actions.

History and Meaning of Misjoinder

Misjoinder is a term used in law to describe the improper combining of legal causes of action or parties in a lawsuit. For example, if a plaintiff brings a lawsuit against two defendants for two separate incidents, which are unrelated to each other and have different causes of action, it would be considered a misjoinder.

Misjoinder is prohibited by law, and it can result in a lawsuit being dismissed or a new trial being ordered. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as when the defendants are involved in multiple allegations, and the misjoinder is made to show the gravity of their actions.

Misjoinder is an important concept in the law, as it ensures that legal actions are properly combined, and that defendants are treated fairly.

Examples of Misjoinder

  1. A plaintiff sues two separate defendants, one for a slip and fall in a grocery store, and the other for a car accident that occurred the following week. This would be an example of misjoinder because the two incidents are entirely unrelated, and have different causes of action.

  2. A plaintiff brings a lawsuit against a doctor and their employer, alleging malpractice and wrongful termination. This would not be considered a misjoinder because the two causes of action are related and involve the same parties.

  3. In a class-action lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company, some plaintiffs have suffered different types of injuries, but all from the same medication. This would not be considered a misjoinder because the injuries have the same cause and involve the same party.

Legal Terms Similar to Misjoinder

  1. Joinder: The legal process of combining multiple parties or causes of action in a single lawsuit.

  2. Counterclaim: A claim made by a defendant against a plaintiff in response to the original lawsuit.

  3. Cross-claim: A claim made by one defendant against another defendant in the same lawsuit.

  4. Interpleader: A legal action taken by a third party who holds money or property that is the subject of a dispute between two or more other parties.