settlement first method
settlement-first method. A means by which to apply a settlement credit to a jury verdict, by first reducing the amount of the verdict by subtracting the amount of all settlements the plaintiff has received on the claim, then reducing the remainder by the percentage of the plaintiff’s comparative fault. See SETTLEMENT CREDIT. Cf. FAULT-FIRST METHOD. [Cases: Damages 63. C.J.S. Damages §§ 169–171.]