Which of the following is a common law defense against liability claims?

Contributory negligence serves as a common law defense against liability claims by demonstrating that the injured party's own negligence contributed to their injuries. Under this principle, if the plaintiff is found to have played a role, even a minor one, in causing their injury, it can result in a complete bar to recovery. This defense emphasizes the shared responsibility for the accident and holds that if individuals do not exercise reasonable care for their own safety, they may be partially or wholly liable for the resulting consequences.

For example, if a person slips and falls due to a wet floor but was not paying attention to where they were walking, their inattentiveness may be seen as contributory negligence. Consequently, they might not be able to recover damages from the property owner if it is proven that their own actions were significant contributors to the accident.

In contrast, accidental cause suggests that an incident was purely unintentional and doesn't inherently provide a defense under common law. Incidental risk refers to risks encountered while engaging in an activity, but as a term, it does not constitute a defense. Exculpatory action is not widely recognized in common law as a standard defense in liability cases. Understanding contributory negligence is crucial as it reflects the legal principle that the responsibility for an