N.Y. Civil Rights Law § 76: Action for libel: evidence, separate verdicts

§ 76. Action for libel: evidence, separate verdicts. At the trial of

any civil action for libel, the defendant may prove, for consideration

by the jury in fixing the amount of the verdict, that the plaintiff has

already recovered damages, or has received, or agreed to receive,

compensation in respect of a libel or libels of a similar purport or

effect as the libel for which such action has been brought. In

consolidated actions based on libels of similar purport or effect the

jury shall assess the whole amount of the plaintiff's damages in one

sum, but a separate verdict shall be taken for or against each defendant

and the jury shall apportion the amount of damages among the defendants

against whom it found a verdict.