---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 30304"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "30304"
heading: "Contributory negligence"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/30304"
units:
  - "Subtitle III — Maritime Liability"
  - "Chapter 303 — Death on the High Seas"
---

# §30304. Contributory negligence


In an action under this chapter, contributory negligence of the decedent is not a bar to recovery. The court shall consider the degree of negligence of the decedent and reduce the recovery accordingly.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 6(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1511.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 30304 | 46 App.:766. | Mar. 30, 1920, ch. 111, § 6, 41 Stat. 537. |