New Jersey Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense is a legal instruction provided to juries in New Jersey courts in cases involving personal injury or property damage claims. It addresses the concept of comparative negligence, which is used to determine the level of responsibility each party holds for an accident or injury. Keywords: New Jersey, jury instruction, comparative negligence defense, personal injury, property damage claims. In New Jersey, there are different types of jury instructions related to comparative negligence defense, including: 1. Pure Comparative Negligence: This type of comparative negligence defense allows the jury to assign percentages of fault to each party involved in an accident or injury. It is based on the idea that even if a plaintiff (person filing the injury claim) is partially at fault, they can still recover damages, which are reduced proportionally to their degree of fault. 2. Modified Comparative Negligence (50% Bar Rule): This type of comparative negligence defense follows the rule that a plaintiff cannot recover damages if they are found to be 50% or more at fault for their injuries or damages. If the plaintiff is determined to be less than 50% at fault, their damages are reduced proportionally according to their assigned percentage of fault. 3. Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Bar Rule): This type of comparative negligence defense is similar to the 50% Bar Rule, but the plaintiff cannot recover damages if they are found to be 51% or more at fault. If the plaintiff's assigned percentage of fault is less than 51%, they can still recover damages, which are reduced according to their degree of fault. The purpose of New Jersey Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense is to guide the jury through the process of determining the comparative negligence and associated liability of each party involved in a personal injury or property damage case. It aims to ensure a fair and just resolution by factoring in the contributed fault of each party when determining the final compensation to be awarded. It is crucial for both plaintiffs and defendants to understand the principles of comparative negligence defense as it can significantly impact the outcome of their case. Legal professionals and jurors refer to New Jersey Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense as a crucial tool to assist them in making well-informed decisions based on applicable laws and the presented evidence.