What is the term for a situation where a plaintiff cannot claim damages due to their own contributions to the injury?

The term for a situation where a plaintiff cannot claim damages due to their own contributions to the injury is known as contributory negligence. In legal contexts, contributory negligence refers to a scenario in which the injured party (the plaintiff) is found to have played a role in causing their own injury. Under this doctrine, if the plaintiff is even slightly at fault for the accident or injury, they may be barred from recovering any damages from another party, effectively losing their right to collect compensation.

This principle is rooted in the idea that individuals have a responsibility to uphold a reasonable standard of care for their own safety. If they fail to do so and this failure contributes to their injuries, the law may prevent them from seeking damages. It is important to understand this concept as it can significantly impact the outcome of personal injury claims.

While there are other related concepts like assumption of risk—where the plaintiff knowingly engages in risky activities—and comparative negligence, which allows for damages to be awarded based on the degree of fault, contributory negligence is distinct in that it can completely bar recovery for the injured party based solely on their own negligence. Understanding these differences helps clarify how various negligence doctrines are applied in legal cases involving personal injury.