Comparative Negligence Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Comparative Negligence.

Comparative Negligence (noun)

Comparative negligence is a legal concept used in certain types of lawsuits, particularly those involving accidents. It refers to the rule that divides the responsibility for any damages between the person who files the lawsuit and the person who is accused. This rule is used when both parties share some level of fault for the accident. The consequence of applying comparative negligence is that it can reduce the amount of compensation that the person who filed the lawsuit receives. It is viewed as unfair in some circumstances because in certain jurisdictions, if the person who filed the lawsuit is found to be at fault to any extent, they may not receive any compensation at all.