Understanding Concurrent Negligence: Legal Definitions and Examples
Definition & Meaning
Concurrent negligence refers to the situation where two or more individuals act independently but contribute to the same injury or damage. This can occur when both the plaintiff (the person claiming damages) and the defendant (the person being accused) play a role in causing the harm. Additionally, it can involve a third party whose negligence also contributes to the injury. In such cases, the plaintiff has the option to sue all parties together or separately for the damages claimed.
Legal Use & context
This term is commonly used in personal injury law, where multiple parties may share responsibility for an accident or injury. It is relevant in civil cases, particularly those involving automobile accidents, workplace injuries, or other incidents where negligence is a factor. Individuals can often manage their claims using legal templates provided by services like US Legal Forms, which offer resources to help navigate the legal process.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Example 1: In a car accident, both Driver A and Driver B are found to have violated traffic laws, leading to a collision. The injured party can claim damages from both drivers. (hypothetical example)
Example 2: A person slips and falls in a store due to a wet floor. If the store owner failed to post warning signs and a maintenance worker neglected to clean the spill, both parties may be held concurrently negligent.