Colorado Jury Instruction — 6.6.1 GeneraInstructionio— - Comparative Negligence Defense is an important legal instruction used in civil cases in the state of Colorado. It pertains to cases where multiple parties are alleged to be at fault for a particular incident or accident. This instruction guides the jury in determining the extent to which each party is responsible for the damages suffered by the plaintiff. The Comparative Negligence Defense instruction allows the defendant to argue that the plaintiff's own negligence or fault contributed to their injuries or damages. It asserts that if the plaintiff is found to have contributed to their own harm, their damages should be reduced by the percentage of their own negligence. This instruction is an essential part of Colorado's legal framework for assigning liability and determining damages in civil cases. By allowing for a comparative negligence defense, it ensures that fault is apportioned fairly between all parties involved, promoting a sense of justice and fairness in legal proceedings. Different types or variations of Colorado Jury Instruction — 6.6.1 GeneraInstructionio— - Comparative Negligence Defense may include: 1. Pure Comparative Negligence: Under this version, the plaintiff's damages are proportionately reduced by their own percentage of fault, regardless of the degree of their negligence. This means even if the plaintiff is found to be 90% at fault, they can still recover 10% of the damages caused. 2. Modified Comparative Negligence (50% Bar Rule): In this modified version, the plaintiff can only recover damages if their fault is found to be less than 50%. If the plaintiff's negligence is equal to or greater than 50%, they are barred from seeking any compensation from the defendant. 3. Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Bar Rule): Similar to the 50% Bar Rule, this version allows the plaintiff to recover damages only if their fault is less than 51%. However, if the plaintiff's negligence is found to be 51% or more, they are completely barred from recovering any damages. These different types of comparative negligence instructions primarily serve to establish the standards for determining fault and damages in civil cases. They ensure that the allocation of responsibility and compensation is fair and reasonable based on the strength of the evidence presented during the trial.