What is contributory negligence?

Contributory negligence is a legal term used in civil law suits to assign fault for an accident or injury. It is a concept used in New Jersey in which both parties involved in an accident may be legally responsible. In this case, the party filing the lawsuit must prove that the other party was at least partially to blame for the incident. The concept of contributory negligence states that if the plaintiff (the one bringing the suit) was even one percent at fault for the incident, then they are not allowed to recover any damages. This means that if the plaintiff was determined to have contributed to the incident in any way, then they cannot receive payment for any injuries, damages, or losses that were caused by the accident. In New Jersey, contributory negligence is a defense that the defendant (the one being sued) can use in order to argue that the plaintiff’s negligence contributed to the incident. This is a strict rule of law and the court will not consider any evidence that could prove the plaintiff’s negligence, such as the defendant’s actions or negligence. This means that any evidence that the defendant was also at fault, will not be accepted as a valid defense against the plaintiff’s claims. Contributory negligence is a difficult legal concept to understand, and it is always best to speak to a qualified attorney if you are involved in an accident in New Jersey in order to understand your rights and receive advice on the best course of action.

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