Differences Between Comparative Negligence and Contributory Negligence

The fundamental difference between the legal concepts of comparative and contributory negligence is that comparative negligence seeks to compensate the injured party at least for some part of his or her injuries, while contributory negligence is a total bar to any damage award to the plaintiff. In both instances, the plaintiff's negligence must be proved by the defendant. The difference boils down to how the plaintiff's ultimate recovery (if any) is impacted by the plaintiff's own negligence. A further difference is that contributory negligence originated in common law, while comparative negligence is a statutory creation in jurisdictions that abolished the...

Continue reading