Legal
Contributory negligence
Contributory negligence is a strict fault rule under which an injured person who bears any share of the blame — even 1% — recovers nothing at all.
Only Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia still apply it.
It makes the liability argument decisive in those jurisdictions, and it makes an early, thorough investigation far more important than elsewhere.
Related terms
- Comparative negligence — Comparative negligence is a rule that reduces an injured person's recovery in proportion to their own share of fault, rather than barring it outright.
- Liability — Liability is legal responsibility for causing harm, and establishing it is the first requirement of any injury claim — without it, the extent of the injury does not matter.
Need the money rather than the definition?
Apply in two minutes, or call 813-798-5528 and we will explain any of this on the phone.