Comparative negligence is a legal theory that limits the victim’s right to compensation if that person was also negligent in causing the accident and injuries. Under Florida law, however, if this is the case, the law may still hold the defendant accountable. Comparative negligence rules essentially divide the responsibility for the accident between the plaintiff and the defendant. If the court believes that you are partially to blame for an accident, they may only award you a portion of the damages because of that fact. For example, if the court decided the plaintiff and defendant are equally to blame for the damages, the plaintiff would only receive 50 percent of the compensation award to which he or she would otherwise be entitled.