Contributory negligence

The rule of law under which an act or omission of a claimant is a contributing cause of injury and possible bar to a complete recovery. It can be used as a defence to prevent a claimant from being awarded full damages if he or she did not take reasonable care of his or her self. In the United States, it is 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.