North Carolina Jury Instruction — 3.3 Life Expectancy Of Decedent is a crucial instruction given in a wrongful death lawsuit in the state of North Carolina. This instruction aims to guide the jury in determining the life expectancy of the decedent, which is a key factor in calculating the damages awarded to the plaintiff. In a wrongful death case, the decedent's life expectancy is a critical element as it helps determine the expected number of years the deceased person would have lived had the accident or incident not occurred. The life expectancy is then utilized to calculate the economic damages suffered by the plaintiff, including the loss of financial support and services from the deceased. This jury instruction assists the jury by providing essential guidance on considering various factors that affect life expectancy, including the age, health, occupation, lifestyle, and activities of the decedent. By examining these factors, the jury can make an informed estimate of the decedent's probable lifespan. Different types or variations of North Carolina Jury Instruction — 3.3 Life Expectancy Of Decedent may include: 1. Standard Instruction: The standard jury instruction sets out the general principles for the jury to consider when estimating the decedent's life expectancy based on the aforementioned factors. 2. Expert Testimony Instruction: This variation of the instruction may be used when expert witness testimony is presented to provide specialized knowledge and analysis of the decedent's life expectancy. The instruction would guide the jury in evaluating the expert's opinion in light of the factors mentioned earlier. 3. Non-Economic Damages Instruction: While the primary focus of this instruction is on calculating economic damages, there may be variations that incorporate information relevant to non-economic damages. This could include factors such as the decedent's quality of life, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering experienced by the survivors. It is essential for the jury to carefully consider all relevant evidence and instructions provided to them by the court to accurately determine the decedent's life expectancy. The jury's decision regarding life expectancy will greatly impact the final calculation of damages awarded to the plaintiff.