New York Jury Instruction — 1.3 Duty To Mitigate In General Pursuing Medical Care: The New York Jury Instruction — 1.3 Duty To Mitigate In General Pursuing Medical Care pertains to the obligation of a plaintiff in a personal injury or medical malpractice case to reasonably seek and undergo necessary medical treatment to minimize the damages suffered. In a legal context, the duty to mitigate refers to the responsibility of the injured party to take reasonable steps to reduce or minimize the harm caused by the defendant's actions. This instruction specifically focuses on the duty to mitigate through the pursuit of medical care. When assessing a plaintiff's claim for damages, jurors need to consider whether the injured party took reasonable measures to obtain medical treatment and follow medical recommendations. The goal is to determine if the plaintiff acted prudently to mitigate the harm caused by the defendant. This jury instruction emphasizes that a plaintiff must make genuine efforts to seek and adhere to appropriate medical care. Such care may include: 1. Promptly seeking medical attention: The plaintiff should seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the injury occurs or when symptoms arise. 2. Following medical advice: The injured party should adhere to the prescribed treatment plan, including taking prescribed medications, attending scheduled appointments, and following medical advice regarding rehabilitation, physical therapy, or any other recommended treatments. 3. Consulting specialists: If necessary, the plaintiff should consult specialists or healthcare professionals with expertise in the specific area related to the injury or condition to receive the appropriate care. Different types of New York Jury Instruction — 1.3 Duty To Mitigate In General Pursuing Medical Care can include variations, such as: 1. Failure to Mitigate Instruction: This instruction may be used when the defendant argues that the plaintiff failed to fulfill their duty to mitigate by not seeking or following recommended medical care. 2. No Duty to Pursue Futile or Unreasonable Treatment: This instruction establishes that a plaintiff is not required to pursue medical treatments that would be futile, excessively burdensome, or unreasonable. 3. Burden of Proof on the Defendant: This instruction shifts the burden to the defendant to prove that the plaintiff failed to mitigate damages by not pursuing reasonable medical care. Overall, the New York Jury Instruction — 1.3 Duty To Mitigate In General Pursuing Medical Care reminds jurors that a plaintiff has a legal obligation to mitigate damages by actively pursuing necessary medical care. Failure to fulfill this duty may impact the assessment of damages in a personal injury or medical malpractice case.