A system where the injured person’s compensation can be reduced by their percentage of fault.

In a personal injury case:
If you’re found 20% at fault and total damages are $100,000, you might recover $80,000 under comparative negligence.

What to know:

• Some states bar recovery if your fault is above a certain percentage (e.g., 51%).

• Others allow recovery even if you’re mostly at fault, but reduced accordingly.