Negligence in Minnesota
State-specific overview · Tort Law
Minnesota applies pure comparative negligence, allowing recovery proportional to defendant's fault regardless of plaintiff's negligence percentage.
How Minnesota treats Negligence
Minnesota permits plaintiffs to recover even when they bear significant responsibility for their injuries, with damages reduced by the plaintiff's percentage of comparative fault. The state applies the reasonable person standard to determine whether a defendant breached a duty of care. Courts and juries assess all circumstances to determine what a reasonably prudent person would have done in the defendant's position.
The general definition of Negligence
Failure to exercise reasonable care that results in harm to another person.
Negligence is a legal concept in civil law (not criminal) that holds people responsible for careless behavior. To prove negligence, you must show four things: the defendant had a duty to be careful, they breached that duty, their breach caused your injury, and you suffered actual damages. Negligence doesn't require intent to harm—it's about failing to act as a reasonably careful person would in similar circumstances. Victims of negligence can sue for compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Read the full 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 Minnesota.