What legal defense suggests that a person recognizing the risks of an activity may be barred from recovery due to negligence?

The legal defense that indicates a person may forfeit their right to recover damages if they recognize and voluntarily engage in a risky activity is known as assumption of risk. This doctrine operates under the principle that when individuals knowingly expose themselves to a danger, they accept the potential consequences of that risk, including the possibility of injury or loss.

In practical terms, if someone participates in an activity that they understand is inherently dangerous, such as a contact sport or certain recreational activities, they acknowledge the risks involved. Should an injury occur as a result of those inherent risks, they may not be able to hold another party liable for negligence since they have effectively consented to partake in a situation where those risks are present.

This defense relies heavily on the notion that personal responsibility plays a key role in mitigating claims of negligence. Individuals are expected to act prudently and be aware of the risks tied to their actions. The other options, such as proximate cause, comparative negligence, and intervening clause, address different aspects of liability and responsibility in negligence cases but do not encapsulate the concept of knowingly accepting risk.