B21.02 Burden of Proof on the Issues--Negligence--One Plaintiff and One Defendant--Contributory Negligence an Issue The plaintiff has the burden of proving each of the following propositions: First, that the defendant acted or failed to act in one of the ways claimed by the plaintiff as stated to you in these instructions and that in so acting, or failing to act, the defendant was negligent; Second, that [the plaintiff was injured] [and] [the plaintiffs property was damaged]; Third, that the negligence of the defendant was a proximate cause of [the injury to the plaintiff] [and] [the damage to the plaintiff's property]. If you find from your consideration of all the evidence that any of these propositions has not been proved, then your verdict shall be for the defendant. On the other hand, if you find from your consideration of all the evidence that each of these propositions has been proved, then you must consider the defendant's claim that the plaintiff was contributorily negligent. As to that claim, the defendant has the burden of proving both of the following propositions: A: That the plaintiff acted or failed to act in one of the ways claimed by the defendant as stated to you in these instructions and that in so acting, or failing to act, the plaintiff was negligent; B: That the plaintiff's negligence was a proximate cause of [his injury] [and] [the damage to his property]. If you find from your consideration of all the evidence that the plaintiff has proved all the propositions required of the plaintiff and that the defendant has not proved both of the propositions required of the defendant, then your verdict shall be for the plaintiff and you shall not reduce plaintiff's damages. If you find from your consideration of all the evidence that the defendant has proved both of the propositions required of the defendant, and if you find that the plaintiff's contributory negligence was more than 50% of the total proximate cause of the injury or damage for which recovery is sought, then your verdict shall be for the defendant. If you find from your consideration of all the evidence that the plaintiff has proved all the propositions required of the plaintiff and that the defendant has proved both of the propositions required of the defendant, and if you find that the plaintiff's contributory negligence was 50% or less of the total proximate cause of the injury or damage for which recovery is sought, then your verdict shall be for the plaintiff and you shall reduce the plaintiff's damages in the manner stated to you in these instructions.