In some cases, the defendant is liable for harm to the plaintiff – even though the defendant’s negligent or illegal conduct was not the but for cause of the harm. A telephone company is held liable for the negligent actions of its employee who knocks down a telephone poll. The same is also so for partners in crime joint conspirators. In such cases the amount of liability depends on whether the state follows joint and several liability or proportionate share of liability

Case on point:  Landers v. East Texas Salt Water Disposal Co.