Arizona Jury Instruction — 1.3 Medical Malpractice Claim Against Hospital And Physician Statute Of Limitations Defense is a crucial aspect of medical malpractice litigation in Arizona. This jury instruction outlines the defense strategy that defendants, such as hospitals and physicians, can employ to argue that a medical malpractice claim filed against them should be dismissed based on the statute of limitations defense. The statute of limitations refers to a specific timeframe within which a plaintiff must file their medical malpractice claim. If the claim is filed outside this timeframe, the defendant may argue that it is barred by the statute of limitations and should be dismissed. Arizona Jury Instruction — 1.3 informs the jury about the applicable statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims against hospitals and physicians. It discusses the time limit set by Arizona law that plaintiffs have to bring their claims. Under this instruction, the jury is presented with various elements related to the statute of limitations defense, including: 1. Timeframe: The instruction explains the specific time period within which a medical malpractice claim must be filed in Arizona. It may state that the claim must be brought within two years from the date the plaintiff discovered or should have discovered the injury resulting from medical malpractice. 2. Discovery Rule: This instruction educates the jury about the discovery rule, which allows the plaintiff to toll or pause the statute of limitations if they were genuinely unaware of the malpractice until a later date. However, it highlights the importance of the plaintiff exercising reasonable diligence in investigating their injury. 3. Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations: Arizona Jury Instruction — 1.3 may also mention certain exceptions or extensions to the statute of limitations that may apply in specific cases. These exceptions could arise, for example, in cases involving fraudulent concealment or cases where the plaintiff was legally incapacitated. Different versions or variations of Arizona Jury Instruction — 1.3 may exist depending on the specific circumstances, such as the type of defendant or the nature of the medical malpractice claim. For instance, there might be separate instructions for claims against individual physicians, hospitals, or medical facilities. The instructions may also differ if the claim involves a wrongful death resulting from medical malpractice. In conclusion, Arizona Jury Instruction — 1.3 Medical Malpractice Claim Against Hospital And Physician Statute Of Limitations Defense plays a crucial role in medical malpractice cases in Arizona. It informs the jury about the statute of limitations for such claims and the defense strategy available to hospitals and physicians to seek a dismissal based on the expiration of the filing deadline. Understanding and applying this instruction are vital for both plaintiffs and defendants in medical malpractice litigation.