2B.6.1 Contributory negligence Flashcards

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1
Q

Contributory negligence

A

The defendant argues that the claimant partly caused the injuries suffered, and asks the court to reduce the blame and therefore the damages to be paid.

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2
Q

Law Reform (contributory negligence) Act 1945

A

“The damages recoverable shall be reduced… having regard to the claimant’s share in the responsibility for the damage”

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3
Q

[Contributory negligence]

Jones v Livox Quarries (1952)

A

The claimant fell from a quarrying vehicle. They were sitting on the back of a lorry when the vehicle crashed. The employee’s contract said not to sit on the back of a lorry.

It was held: The claimant contributed to the negligence and damages awarded were reduced.

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4
Q

[Contributory negligence]

Badger v Ministry of Defence (2006)

A

The claimant contracted lung disease after exposure to asbestos. He smoked after his doctor told him to stop.

Damages awarded were reduced by 20% under contributory negligence because the reasonable person would have stopped smoking.

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5
Q

[Contributory negligence]

Sayers v Harlow Urban District Council

A

Woman trapped in toilet. Claimant stood on seat and toilet-roll holder, fell.

Damages were reduced by 20% due to contributory negligence.

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6
Q

[Contributory negligence]

Jayes v IMI (1995)

A

The claimant took the guard off a machine to clean it.

Damages were reduced by 100%.

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7
Q

[Contributory negligence]

O’Connell v Jackson (1972)

A

The claimant did not wear a crash helmet.

Damages were reduced by 15%.

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8
Q

[Contributory negligence]

Froom v Butcher (1976)

A

The claimant was not wearing a seatbelt during a crash.

Damages were reduced by 20%.

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9
Q

[Contributory negligence]

Stinton v Stinton (1993)

A

The claimant accepted a lift from a drunk driver.

Damages were reduced by 33.3%.

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10
Q

[Contributory negligence]

Gough v Thorne (1966)

A

A 13-year-old was crossing a road. A lorry was obscuring the view and the lorry driver waved her on. She crossed and was hit by a car.

No contributory negligence as she had done what a reasonable 13-year-old would have done.

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11
Q

What type of defence is contributory negligence?

A

A partial defence to claims of negligence and occupiers’ liability.

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12
Q

What act governs the law on contributory negligence?

A

The Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945

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13
Q

The Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945

A

This provides that any damages awarded to the claimant can be reduced according to the extent or level to which they had contributed to their own harm.

  • The judgment will firstly set the full amount of the damages as if there was no contributory negligence.
  • The judge will then decide the percentage that the claimant is responsible for, and then reduce the amount of damages by this percentage. As it is a partial defence, it will only result in a reduction in the amount of damages.
  • The defence does not require the defendant show that the claimant owed him a duty of care, just that the claimant failed to take the appropriate care in the situation.
  • It will be necessary to prove causation - that the claimant’s act or omission helped to cause the injuries suffered, despite the defendant’s fault.
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14
Q

How to consider contributory negligence in a scenario?

A

In a scenario with contributory negligence, take an educated guess as to what percentage should be taken off the damages.

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