What defense can be used if the defendant believes the plaintiff contributed to their own injuries?

The correct choice, which is contributory negligence, applies in tort law to situations where a plaintiff's own negligence contributed to their injuries. In jurisdictions where this defense is recognized, it essentially argues that if the plaintiff is partially responsible for the harm they sustained, it may limit or entirely prevent them from recovering damages.

Contributory negligence holds that even a small percentage of fault on the plaintiff's part can bar recovery completely, depending on the specific laws governing the area. This defense emphasizes the idea of personal accountability for one's actions that led to the injury.

In comparison, comparative negligence evaluates the relative degree of fault between the parties, allowing for the plaintiff to recover damages even when they are found to be partially at fault, though their compensation may be reduced in proportion to their degree of responsibility. Assumption of risk involves a situation where the plaintiff knowingly engages in activities that carry inherent risks, thus waiving their right to claim damages for any injuries that result from those risks. Finally, self-defense pertain specifically to cases involving physical confrontations and is not applicable in situations where negligence is in question.

In essence, contributory negligence is a specific legal doctrine that allows a defendant to argue that the plaintiff's own actions played a crucial role in causing their