In a jury trial jury instructions are given to the jury at the end of the case. These instructions are prepared by the attorneys of both parties and presented to the judge for approval. The instructions tell the jurors what the law is and how to apply the law to the facts that have been proven.
Title: California Instruction to Jury — Essential Factual Elements Necessary to Hold an Instructor, Trainer, or Coach Liable for an Injury to a Participant in a Sports Activity Keywords: California, instruction to jury, essential factual elements, hold liable, instructor, trainer, coach, injury, participant, sports activity Introduction: In California, when an individual participating in a sports activity suffers an injury, it may be possible to hold the instructor, trainer, or coach responsible for their role in the incident. To establish liability, specific essential factual elements need to be proven. This article explores the types of California instructions to the jury and the key elements required to establish the liability of an instructor, trainer, or coach in a sports activity injury case. Types of California Instruction to Jury: 1. Negligence: To hold an instructor, trainer, or coach liable for an injury sustained by a participant in a sports activity, negligence must be demonstrated. The jury is instructed to consider whether the defendant's conduct fell below the accepted standard of care expected from a reasonably skilled instructor, trainer, or coach. Negligent acts or omissions that directly caused the plaintiff's injury must be established. 2. Breach of Duty: The jury must evaluate whether the defendant breached their duty of care towards the participant. This includes determining whether the instructor, trainer, or coach failed to fulfill their responsibilities or committed an act that a reasonably skilled professional in their position would not have done. The breach must directly contribute to the participant's injury. 3. Assumption of Risk: In certain cases, the defendant may argue that the participant assumed the inherent risks associated with the sports activity. The jury must be instructed to assess whether the agreed-upon terms, waivers, or consent forms adequately explained the risks involved and if the participant voluntarily accepted those risks. 4. Supervision and Instruction: The jury should consider whether the defendant adequately supervised, instructed, or coached the participant during the sports activity. This includes evaluating the appropriateness of the instructions given, level of guidance provided, and whether the defendant took reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable risks or dangers. 5. Training and Qualifications: The jury is instructed to assess the defendant's training, qualifications, and experience. It is important to establish whether the instructor, trainer, or coach possessed the necessary skills, certifications, and expertise to safely conduct the sports activity. Insufficient training or inadequate qualifications may contribute to a finding of liability. Conclusion: In California, specific instructions to the jury are vital when determining the liability of an instructor, trainer, or coach for injuries sustained by a participant in a sports activity. Key elements include establishing negligence, breach of duty, assumption of risk, supervision and instruction adequacy, and the defendant's training and qualifications. Understanding these essential factual elements is crucial for plaintiffs seeking to hold responsible parties liable for any harm suffered during a sports activity in California.
