Contributory Negligence in Alaska
State-specific overview · Tort Law
Alaska uses comparative negligence: plaintiffs recover reduced damages proportional to their fault, up to 99% negligence.
How Alaska treats Contributory Negligence
Alaska allows plaintiffs to recover damages even when partially at fault, with recovery reduced by their percentage of negligence. A plaintiff can recover as long as they are not more negligent than the defendant (or defendants combined). For example, a plaintiff 30% at fault recovers 70% of damages. Alaska courts apply this rule broadly across personal injury and property damage cases.
The general definition of Contributory Negligence
A plaintiff's own carelessness that partially caused their injury, reducing their recovery.
When someone gets hurt, the court looks at whether the injured person also acted carelessly and contributed to their own harm. If they did, their financial award gets reduced by the percentage they're responsible for. For example, if you're hit by a car while jaywalking, you might be found 20% at fault, so your damages would be cut by that amount. This rule exists because the law thinks people should take reasonable care for their own safety too.
Read the full Contributory Negligence entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Alaska.