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In some common law jurisdictions, contributory negligence is a defense to a tort claim based on negligence. If it is available, the defense completely bars plaintiffs from any recovery if they contribute to their own injury through their own negligence.^[1]

Because the contributory negligence doctrine can lead to harsh results, many common law jurisdictions have abolished it in favor of a "comparative fault" or "comparative negligence" approach.^[1] A comparative negligence approach reduces the plaintiff's damages award by the percentage of fault the fact-finder assigns to the plaintiff for their own injury.^[2] For example, if a jury thinks the plaintiff is 30% at fault, the plaintiff's damages award will be reduced by 30%.

^ ^a ^b "Contributory Negligence". Wex. Cornell Law School. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
^ "Comparative Negligence". Legal Information Institute. Cornell. Retrieved December 5, 2018.