The Massachusetts Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General is a legal guideline provided to jurors regarding the responsibility of plaintiffs to make reasonable efforts to minimize their damages. When a plaintiff suffers harm or incurs losses due to the actions of a defendant, they have a duty to mitigate their damages by taking reasonable steps to alleviate and minimize the impact of those damages. This instruction is relevant in civil cases where compensation is sought, such as personal injury or breach of contract lawsuits. The duty to mitigate encourages plaintiffs to act responsibly and reasonably to prevent the worsening of their damages and avoid unnecessary losses. Massachusetts law recognizes that a plaintiff cannot simply sit back and allow damages to accumulate without taking reasonable steps to mitigate them. The specific language and terms used in Massachusetts Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General may vary depending on the context of the case, but the instruction generally emphasizes the following points: 1. Plaintiff's duty: The instruction explains that it is the duty of the plaintiff to minimize their damages to the extent possible. Plaintiffs must make reasonable efforts to limit the impact of their losses. 2. Reasonable actions: The instruction instructs jurors to consider whether the plaintiff took reasonable actions to mitigate damages. These actions could include seeking medical treatment promptly, following medical advice, pursuing alternative employment, or taking other steps that a reasonable person would take in similar circumstances. 3. Failure to mitigate: If the plaintiff fails to meet their duty to mitigate damages, the jury may consider reducing the compensation awarded accordingly. The instruction cautions jurors not to penalize plaintiffs for failing to mitigate damages if the plaintiff had valid reasons for doing so. Types of Massachusetts Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General: 1. Personal injury cases: In personal injury cases, this instruction reminds jurors that plaintiffs have an obligation to mitigate their damages. They must take reasonable steps to recover from their injuries, follow medical advice, and avoid activities that may exacerbate their injuries. 2. Breach of contract cases: In cases involving breach of contract, the instruction informs the jury that plaintiffs have a duty to take reasonable actions to minimize their losses resulting from the breach. This could include seeking alternative suppliers or customers, attempting to mitigate financial losses, or mitigating damages related to business disruptions. In conclusion, the Massachusetts Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General is a set of legal instructions provided to jurors concerning the obligation of plaintiffs to mitigate damages in civil cases. It emphasizes the responsibility of plaintiffs to take reasonable steps to minimize the impact of their losses and warns jurors not to penalize plaintiffs without valid reasons for failing to do so. This instruction applies to various types of cases, such as personal injury and breach of contract lawsuits.