Michigan Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense is an important legal concept used in civil cases to determine the extent of liability and damages between multiple parties involved in an accident or injury. This instruction is crucial in cases where the plaintiff and defendant both share some degree of fault for the incident. The concept of comparative negligence recognizes that multiple parties may contribute to an accident, and their respective negligence should be assessed to determine their proportional responsibility. This instruction guides the jury in comparing the negligence of each party involved, including the plaintiff and defendant, in order to decide the appropriate compensation based on their respective degrees of fault. Michigan Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense comes into play when a defendant claims that the plaintiff's negligence contributed to their own injuries or damages. In such cases, the defendant may argue that the plaintiff's actions or omissions were a significant factor in causing the incident and thus, should bear some responsibility for the consequences. Different types of Michigan Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense may include: 1. Pure Comparative Negligence: Under this type of instruction, the jury is instructed to assign each party involved a percentage of fault based on their actions or negligence. The jury then reduces the damages awarded to the plaintiff by their assigned percentage of fault. For example, if the jury determines that the plaintiff was 30% at fault, the awarded damages would be reduced by 30%. 2. Modified Comparative Negligence: This type of instruction is further divided into two subcategories: a. Modified Comparative Negligence (50% Bar Rule): In this situation, if the plaintiff is found to be 50% or more at fault, they are completely barred from recovering any damages. However, if the plaintiff's fault is determined to be 49% or less, they can still recover damages, but the total amount will be reduced proportionately to their assigned percentage of fault. b. Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Bar Rule): Similar to the previous type, if the plaintiff is found to be 51% or more at fault, they are barred from recovering damages. If their fault is determined to be 50% or less, they can recover damages, but the total amount will be reduced according to their assigned percentage of fault. Michigan Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense is an essential tool in determining the fair distribution of liability and damages in civil cases, ensuring that individuals who contribute to an incident bear their share of responsibility. It plays a key role in promoting a fair and just legal system by considering the specific circumstances of each case and holding all parties accountable for their actions.