There are many factors that may reduce liability or eliminate it completely, including the concepts of contributory negligence, 'assumption of risk' and 'vicarious liability' (...) contributory negligence is defined in Black's law dictionary as an "act or omission amounting to [a] want of ordinary care on the part of the [plaintiff] which, [combined] with the defendant's negligence, is [a] proximate cause of injury". In determining liability for negligence, the Courts will examine the conduct of the plaintiff to see if the plaintiff's own lack of care contributed to his or her injuries. In other words, the Courts will decide if the plaintiff, like the defendant, failed to achieve a reasonable standard of behaviour, and thus was negligent.