Comparative Negligence in California Personal Injury Cases: How Fault Impacts Compensation?
Imagine you slipped on a wet floor at a store, but you were checking your phone and didn't see the sign. You get hurt. The store owner was careless, yet you played a small part too. Can you still get compensation in California? Yes—and that's thanks to comparative negligence . This rule keeps things fair when fault is shared. An attorney injury personal expert will walk you through it step by step. If you've been in an accident, understanding this can change everything for your claim. What is the concept of comparative negligence? California follows pure comparative negligence , rooted in California Civil Code §1714 . This law says everyone must act with ordinary care. If someone’s lack of care harms you, they’re responsible. But it goes further. Even if you contributed to your own injury, you can recover damages. The key? Your payout is reduced by your share of fault—no matter how high it is. Think of it like slicing a pie. The total damages form the pie. If a jury decide...