Skip to Content

contributory negligence

Contributory negligence is the negligence of a plaintiff constituting a partial cause or aggravation of their injury.

On This Page

Additional Information


This doctrine bars relief to the plaintiff in a lawsuit if the plaintiff's own negligence contributed to the damage. Contributory negligence has been superseded in many states by other methods of apportioning liability.

Related Terms


Comparative negligence is a rule used in negligence cases in some states that provides for...