Contributory negligence
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) |
| Part of the common law series |
| Tort law |
|---|
| Intentional torts |
| Property torts |
| Defenses |
| Negligence |
| Liability torts |
| Nuisance |
| Dignitary torts |
| Economic torts |
| Liability and remedies |
| Duty to visitors |
| Other common law areas |
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 that the fact-finder assigns to the plaintiff for his or her own injury.[2] For example, if a jury thinks that the plaintiff is 30% at fault for his own injury, the plaintiff's damages award will be reduced by 30%.
Contents
History[edit]
The doctrine of contributory negligence was dominant in U.S. jurisprudence in the 19th and 20th century.[3] The English case Butterfield v. Forrester is generally recognized as the first appearance, although in this case the judge held that the plaintiff's own negligence undermined his argument that the defendant was the proximate cause of the injury.[3] Whether contributory negligence is construed as negating proximate causation or as an affirmative defense, the effect is the same either way: the plaintiff's contributory negligence bars his or her recovery.[4]
Burden of proof[edit]
In some jurisdictions, in order to successfully raise an contributory negligence defense, the defendant must prove the negligence of a plaintiff or claimant. In others, the burden of proof is on a plaintiff to disprove his or her own negligence.
Even if the plaintiff was negligent, the tortfeasor may still be held liable if he or she had the last clear chance to prevent the injury, meaning that even though the plaintiff was negligent the defendant was the last person with a clear opportunity to take action that would have prevented the plaintiff's injury from occurring.
Examples of Contributory Negligence[edit]
Example 1: A pedestrian crosses a road negligently and is hit by a driver who was driving negligently. Since the pedestrian has also contributed to the accident, they may be barred from complete and full recovery of damages from the driver (or their insurer) because the accident was less likely to occur if it hadn't been for their failure to keep a proper lookout.
Example2: Another example of contributory negligence is where a plaintiff actively disregards warnings or fails to take reasonable steps for his or her safety, such as diving in shallow water without checking the depth first.
Pleading Requirements[edit]
In some jurisdictions, such as United States federal courts, contributory negligence must be pleaded in the defendant's answer to the complaint as an affirmative defense.[5] But in some jurisdictions it may be applied by the court in a tort matter irrespective of whether it was pleaded as a defense.[6]
Availability[edit]
The contributory negligence defense is not available to a tortfeasor whose conduct rises above the level of ordinary negligence to intentional or malicious wrongdoing.
The classic version of contributory negligence, where a plaintiff who is even 0.01% negligence is barred from recovery, nowadays is referred to as "pure contributory negligence."[3] Some states have adopted a "modified" or "mixed" version of contributory negligence where the plaintiff is only barred from recovery if he or she was more than a certain percentage at fault (typically, more than 50% at fault for his or her own injury).[7]
Australia[edit]
In Australia, particularly New South Wales, the award of damages is reduced by the same percentage as the plaintiff's own negligence.[8] For example, if the plaintiff was 50% negligent in causing his or her own accident, but would otherwise be entitled to $100,000 in damages, a court will award only $50,000. A court may also find that 100% contributory negligence is applicable in which case the plaintiff is not entitled to any damages.[9] Determining the extent of the contributory negligence is subjective and heavily dependent on the evidence available. Parties will often work to negotiate a mutually satisfactory percentage figure when engaging in alternative dispute resolution (such as mediation). If the matter does not settle, a percentage figure is ultimately assigned by the court at the hearing.
In Australia, contributory negligence is available when the plaintiff's own negligence contributed to its own injuries.[10] Also refer to Pennington v Norris for second test.[11]
United States[edit]
In the United States, the pure contributory negligence only applies in Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia. Indiana applies pure contributory negligence to medical malpractice cases and tort claims against governmental entities.[12] In the other 45 states in the U.S., plaintiff's recovery is simply diminished by the extent to which he or she contributed to the harm under principles of comparative negligence, with some states using a mixed model of comparative and contributory negligence. A state with a mixed model may, for example, prevent a plaintiff from recovering damages if the plaintiff is determined to bear more than 50% of the responsibility for his or her own injury.[13]
United Kingdom[edit]
In England and Wales, it is not possible to defeat a claim under contributory negligence and therefore completely deny the victim compensation. It does however allow for a reduction in damages recoverable to the extent that the court sees fit.[14][15]
In England and Wales, it is not a defense to the tort of conversion or trespass to chattels. In the United States, it is not a defense to any intentional tort.
India[edit]
In India compensation in favour of victim gets reduced in proportion with his negligence.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Contributory Negligence". Wex. Cornell Law School. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
- ^ "Comparative Negligence". Legal Information Institute. Cornell. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
- ^ a b c Little WBL. (2007). "It is Much Easier to Find Fault With Others, Than to be Faultless Ourselves": Contributory Negligence as a Bar to a Claim for Breach of the Implied Warranty of Merchantability. Campbell Law Review.
- ^ "Restatement Second of Torts Section 467". Retrieved 26 January 2019.
- ^ "Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8". Cornell Law School. Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
- ^ "Douglas v. Harris, 35 N.J. 270, 281, 173 A.2d 1 (1961)". Google Scholar. Google. Retrieved 28 June 2017. "[T]he rule requiring a defendant to so affirmatively plead [contributory negligence] is mandatory. However, the court may relax that rule when its enforcement would be inconsistent with substantial justice."
- ^ "Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Law in All 50 States" (PDF). Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- ^ Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), Part 1A, Division 8, see also Law Reform Miscellaneous Act 1965 (NSW) s 9(1)(b).
- ^ Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), section 5S
- ^ Froom v Butcher [1976] 1 QB 286
- ^ Pennington v Norris [1956] HCA 26, (1956) 96 CLR 10 (6 June 1956), High Court.
- ^ Swisher, Peter N. (2011). "Virginia Should Abolish the Archaic Tort Defense of Contributory Negligence and Adopt a Comparative Negligence Defense in Its Place". University of Richmond Law Review. 46: 359. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
- ^ Larson, Aaron (21 December 2016). "Negligence and Tort Law". ExpertLaw. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
- ^ . "Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945".
- ^ "Contributory negligence". Practical Law. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
