B21.07 Burden of Proof on the Issue of Contributory Negligence If you find in favor of the plaintiff and against [the defendant] [one or more defendants], you must then consider 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 of the propositions required of him and that the defendant has not proved both of the propositions required of him, then your verdict shall be for the plaintiff and you shall not reduce the plaintiff's damages. If you find from your consideration of all the evidence that the plaintiff has proved all of the propositions required of him and that the defendant has proved both of the propositions required of him, and if you find that the plaintiff's contributory negligence was greater 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 him and that the defendant has proved both of the propositions required of him, 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.