Definitions of contributory negligence
UK TORT a defense that prevents a claimant from being awarded full damages if he or she did not take reasonable care of his or her self. The award for damages will be reduced according to the claimant's share of responsibility for the loss or injury US TORT=comparative negligence
The claimant's award was reduced due to his contributory negligence.
US TORT a defence that prevents a claimant from being awarded damages if he or she has knowingly and voluntarily accepted the risk of loss, injury or damage
Some jurisdictions have replaced the traditional defense of contributory negligence with a comparative fault method of dividing liability among parties.