Colorado Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General is an important aspect of the legal system in Colorado that pertains to the responsibility of plaintiffs to take reasonable measures to minimize their damages and losses. This instruction is usually given to the jury in civil cases involving personal injury, property damage, or breach of contract claims. By understanding this instruction, jurors can evaluate the actions taken (or not taken) by the plaintiff after an alleged harm and determine the extent to which the defendant should be held liable. One type of Colorado Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General is the instruction in personal injury cases. When a plaintiff suffers injuries due to the negligent or wrongful act of another party, they have a duty to mitigate their damages. This means that they must take reasonable steps to mitigate or minimize their losses by seeking medical treatment, following the prescribed treatment plan, undergoing rehabilitation, and returning to work if medically cleared. If the plaintiff fails to fulfill their duty to mitigate, their compensation may be reduced accordingly. Another type of Colorado Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General applies to property damage cases. Here, the plaintiff must demonstrate that they made reasonable efforts to mitigate or reduce the damage to their property after an incident occurred, such as a fire, flood, or vandalism. Failure to take action or negligence in mitigating the damage may impact the amount of compensation the plaintiff can recover from the defendant. In breach of contract cases, Colorado Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General instructs the jury that the plaintiff has the obligation to mitigate their damages resulting from the breach. This includes taking reasonable steps to minimize the losses by seeking alternative services or products, attempting to find a replacement contract, and notifying the breaching party promptly. Understanding the Colorado Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General is essential for jurors as it helps them evaluate the reasonableness of the plaintiff's actions in mitigating their damages. By considering the evidence presented during the trial, jurors can determine whether the plaintiff fulfilled their duty to mitigate and ascertain the appropriate amount of compensation to be awarded, taking into account the plaintiff's efforts to minimize their losses. It ensures a fair and just outcome in civil cases, promoting personal responsibility and discouraging the seeking of excessive damages.