§ 2.1 INTRODUCTION

• Jurisdiction: Arizona

§ 2.1 Introduction

Since 1984, Arizona has followed a statutory scheme of comparative negligence in tort cases.

See A.R.S. § 12-2505. The Arizona system represents the adoption of the "pure" model of comparative negligence.¹ Fault is allocated and parties are responsible for their proportionate negligence in the standard case. The model was adopted to increase fairness of the tort system for all parties by holding each tortfeasor responsible for only his or her share of fault, and nothing more. Young v. Beck, 227 Ariz. 1, 4, 251 P.3d 380, 383 (2011), citing to State Farm Ins. Cos. v. Premier Manufactured Sys., Inc., 217 Ariz. 222, 225 ¶ 12, 172 P.3d 410, 413 (2007).

Comparative fault principles apply to most cases where actions of more than one party combine to cause harm, but do not apply in favor of a claimant who...