Which doctrine completely bars a plaintiff's claim if the plaintiff is negligent?

Which doctrine completely bars a plaintiff's claim if the plaintiff is negligent?

• A. Comparative Negligence
• B. Contributory Negligence
• C. Assumption of Risk
• D. Strict Liability

Answer: (B)

Contributory negligence is the idea that the plaintiff’s own negligent behavior can bar recovery entirely. In a pure contributory negligence regime, if the plaintiff’s fault contributed to the injury in any amount, they cannot recover from the defendant, even if the defendant was mostly at fault. This is why it completely blocks the claim when the plaintiff is negligent. This differs from comparative negligence, where damages are allocated based on fault and the plaintiff can still recover some amount (just reduced by the plaintiff’s share of fault). Assumption of risk involves the plaintiff knowingly accepting a dangerous condition, which can bar recovery on a separate defense, but it requires showing voluntary knowledge of the risk. Strict liability, on the other hand, imposes liability on the defendant regardless of the plaintiff’s conduct, so the plaintiff’s negligence does not bar the claim.

Contributory negligence is the idea that the plaintiff’s own negligent behavior can bar recovery entirely. In a pure contributory negligence regime, if the plaintiff’s fault contributed to the injury in any amount, they cannot recover from the defendant, even if the defendant was mostly at fault. This is why it completely blocks the claim when the plaintiff is negligent.

This differs from comparative negligence, where damages are allocated based on fault and the plaintiff can still recover some amount (just reduced by the plaintiff’s share of fault). Assumption of risk involves the plaintiff knowingly accepting a dangerous condition, which can bar recovery on a separate defense, but it requires showing voluntary knowledge of the risk. Strict liability, on the other hand, imposes liability on the defendant regardless of the plaintiff’s conduct, so the plaintiff’s negligence does not bar the claim.