ACE Personal Trainer Practice Exam

What is contributory negligence?

1. When a plaintiff has no fault in a case

2. When the defendant is solely responsible for the injury

3. When the plaintiff's negligence contributes to the act in dispute

4. When the case is dismissed due to lack of evidence

The correct answer is: When the plaintiff's negligence contributes to the act in dispute

Contributory negligence refers to a legal doctrine where a plaintiff's own negligence plays a role in causing their injury, which can affect their ability to recover damages in a lawsuit. The key aspect of this concept is that if the plaintiff is found to have contributed to the incident in any way, even if it is a minor degree of fault, it may reduce the compensation they are entitled to or bar them from recovery entirely, depending on the jurisdiction. This principle emphasizes the shared responsibility in negligence cases, highlighting the importance of both parties' actions leading up to the incident. In contrast, the other options describe situations that do not align with this definition. For instance, stating that the plaintiff has no fault does not represent contributory negligence, as it implies complete innocence. Likewise, asserting that the defendant is solely responsible does not address the concept of shared liability inherent in contributory negligence. Lastly, a dismissal of a case due to lack of evidence pertains to procedural outcomes rather than the responsibility of the parties involved in causing the injury, which is central to the notion of contributory negligence.