Why might a defendant seek to implead a third-party defendant?

A defendant might seek to implead a third-party defendant primarily to share liability for damages. This legal strategy, known as "third-party practice," allows the original defendant to bring another party into the litigation who may also have liability for the claims being made by the plaintiff. By doing so, the defendant can argue that not only them but also the third party is responsible for the damages, potentially leading to a reduction in their own liability. This is particularly advantageous in cases where the third-party defendant has contributed to the harm or is otherwise culpable, as it ensures that all parties responsible for the damages are present in the same lawsuit.

The other options, while they might seem plausible, do not align with the primary motive behind impleading a third-party defendant. Denying involvement or seeking to overly complicate the case, such as increasing legal fees or delaying proceedings, are not strategic reasons typically endorsed in litigation. Instead, legal practice emphasizes resolution and efficiency, making sharing liability the most coherent and practical reason for impleader.