Contributory negligence shall not bar recovery in an action by any party or his legal representative to recover damages to the extent permitted under this act, if such negligence was not greater than the negligence of the party against whom recovery is sought or was not greater than the combined negligence of the persons against whom recovery is sought. Any damages sustained shall be diminished by the percentage of negligence attributable to the person recovering. In all negligence actions in which the question of liability is in dispute, the trier of fact shall make the following as findings of fact:

1. a. The amount of damages which would be recoverable by the injured party regardless of any consideration of negligence, that is, the full value of the injured party's damages to the extent permitted under this act.
2. b. The extent, in the form of a percentage, of each party's negligence. The percentage of negligence of each party shall be based on 100% of the total of all percentages of negligence of all the parties to a suit shall be 100%.
3. c. The judge shall mold the judgment from the findings of fact made by the trier of fact in accordance with the provisions of this act.

L.1972, c. 45, s. 59:9-4. Amended by L.1975, c. 3, s. 2; L.1982, c. 191, s. 2, eff. Dec. 6, 1982.