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Negligence Laws by State
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Comparative negligence: Even if a person is partially responsible for the accident or his/her injuries, that individual may still recover a portion of his/her damages. Recovery of damages is reduced by whatever percentage of fault the individual is assigned. Example: If an individual is assigned 40 percent fault and he has damages of $100,000, the recovery is reduced by 40 percent ($40,000), and the plaintiff recovers $60,000.

Some states have a Pure Comparative Negligence/Fault system in which an individual can recover damages regardless of his/her percentage of fault. An individual who is 99 percent at fault can recover one percent of his/her damages under the pure comparative negligence system, for example.

Many states place a 'fault threshold'. This means that if the individual reaches the threshold, he/she can no longer recover damages. This is referred to as Modified Comparative Negligence/Fault. Recovery is still reduced by the individual's percentage of fault. Most states implement a 50 percent or 51 percent threshold.

50% Threshold: Requires the individaul to be less than half at fault to recover damages. If fault reaches 50%, recovery is barred.

51% Threshold: Requires the indivdual to be half at fault or less to recover damages. If fault reaches 51%, recovery is barred.

Contributory negligence: If a person is at all responsible for the accident or his/her injuries, that individual cannot recover any damages whatsoever under contributory negligence. So if an individual is one percent responsible for the accident, he/she is barred from recovery.
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AlabamaLouisianaOhio
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Negligence System:ContributoryNegligence System:Pure ComparativeNegligence System:Modified Comparative
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Fault Threshold:1%Fault Threshold:100%Fault Threshold:51%
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AlaskaMaineOklahoma
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Negligence System:Pure ComparativeNegligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Modified Comparative
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Fault Threshold:100%Fault Threshold:50%Fault Threshold:50%
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ArizonaMarylandOregon
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Negligence System:Pure ComparativeNegligence System:ContributoryNegligence System:Modified Comparative
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Fault Threshold:100%Fault Threshold:1%Fault Threshold:51%
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ArkansasMassachusettsPennsylvania
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Negligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Modified Comparative
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Fault Threshold:50%Fault Threshold:51%Fault Threshold:51%
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CaliforniaMichiganRhode Island
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Negligence System:Pure ComparativeNegligence System:See BelowNegligence System:Pure Comparative
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Fault Threshold:100%Fault Threshold:See BelowFault Threshold:100%
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Pure comparative system for economic damages; modified comparative system (51% threshold) for non-economic damages.
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ColoradoMinnesotaSouth Carolina
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Negligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Modified Comparative
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Fault Threshold:50%Fault Threshold:51%Fault Threshold:51%
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ConnecticutMississippiSouth Dakota
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Negligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Pure ComparativeNegligence System:See Below
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Fault Threshold:51%Fault Threshold:100%Fault Threshold:See Below
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Damages reduced in proportion to fault; no recovery if fault is more than "slight" compared to defendant's negligence.
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DelawareMissouriTennessee
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Negligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Pure ComparativeNegligence System:Modified Comparative
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Fault Threshold:51%Fault Threshold:100%Fault Threshold:50%
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Florida MontanaTexas
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Negligence System:Pure ComparativeNegligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Modified Comparative
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Fault Threshold:100%Fault Threshold:51%Fault Threshold:51%
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GeorgiaNebraskaUtah
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Negligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Modified Comparative
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Fault Threshold:50%Fault Threshold:50%Fault Threshold:50%
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HawaiiNevadaVermont
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Negligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Modified Comparative
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Fault Threshold:51%Fault Threshold:51%Fault Threshold:51%
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IdahoNew HampshireVirginia
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Negligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Contributory
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Fault Threshold:50%Fault Threshold:51%Fault Threshold:1%
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IllinoisNew JerseyWashington
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Negligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Pure Comparative
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Fault Threshold:51%Fault Threshold:51%Fault Threshold:100%
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IndianaNew MexicoWashington D.C.
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Negligence System:Modified ComparativeNegligence System:Pure ComparativeNegligence System:Contributory
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Fault Threshold:51%Fault Threshold:100%Fault Threshold:1%
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(Note: Indiana uses contributory negligence in medical malpractice cases.)
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