The term comparative negligence refers to determining what fault, if any, the complaining party may have in relationship to the injury that occurred. In other words, did your actions in any way contribute to your injury? Comparative negligence laws vary state by state but generally, damages recovered may be reduced if the plaintiff is in any way at fault for the accident. In most states, if a jury and judge find the plaintiff equally as at fault as the defendant for the injury or accident, no damages will usually be awarded. The reduction of a plaintiff's award is determined by the percentage of fault that the jury attributes to the plaintiff. For a better understanding of the comparative negligence law in your state, you should consult an experienced personal injury attorney.