---
title: "Contributory Negligence"
type: Legal Term
source: https://casebriefly.com/legal-terms/contributory-negligence
---

# Contributory Negligence

Contributory negligence is a common-law defense that completely bars the plaintiff from recovery if the plaintiff's own negligence contributed to the harm in any degree. This harsh all-or-nothing approach has been abandoned by most American jurisdictions in favor of comparative negligence. It survives in only a handful of states and the District of Columbia. The last clear chance doctrine developed as an exception, allowing a plaintiff to recover despite their contributory negligence if the defendant had the last opportunity to avoid the harm.

## Related Terms

- comparative-negligence
- assumption-of-risk
- negligence

## Related Cases


## Example

A jaywalking pedestrian is struck by a speeding driver. Under contributory negligence, the pedestrian's own negligence in jaywalking would completely bar recovery.

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Source: [Contributory Negligence — CaseBriefly](https://casebriefly.com/legal-terms/contributory-negligence)