contributory negligence

English

Noun

contributory negligence (uncountable)

Examples

A, a pedestrian, runs a red light and is hit by a careless driver. Because A's negligence contributes to the accident, and depending on jurisdictions: A might be totally barred from recovery (known as pure contributory negligence); A might be barred from from recovery if the court determines that A contributes significantly to the accident; A might still be be given a recovery, albeit reduced at some percentage.

1. (law) The rule of law under which an act or omission of plaintiff is a contributing cause of injury and a possible bar to a complete recovery.