contributory negligence
Definition
Legal principle that an aggrieved or injured plaintiff may have contributed to his or her injury by being negligent of the obvious and known conditions. Careless driving and driving without using a seat belt are examples of contributory negligence. When compared with the negligence of the defendant, the extent of contributory negligence may defeat the attempt to recover damages or may reduce the amount of the award.
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contributory negligence is in the Corporate, Commercial, & General Law subject.
contributory negligence appears in the definition of the following term: affirmative defense
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