Contributory Negligence in Utah
State-specific overview · Tort Law
Utah follows comparative negligence, reducing damages by the plaintiff's percentage of fault without a bar.
How Utah treats Contributory Negligence
Utah permits plaintiffs to recover damages reduced by their own percentage of negligence, regardless of how much fault they bear. This pure comparative negligence approach means a plaintiff who is 90% at fault can still recover 10% of their damages from a defendant. Utah courts apply this rule broadly to negligence claims, allowing injured parties significant latitude in pursuing recovery even when substantially responsible for their own injuries.
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 Utah.