Rhode Island Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General In Rhode Island, the duty to mitigate refers to the legal responsibility of a party, usually the plaintiff, to take reasonable steps to minimize the damages they have suffered as a result of another party's actions. This duty requires the plaintiff to make reasonable efforts to avoid additional harm or losses that could have been prevented. The purpose of this duty is to ensure that the injured party does not unnecessarily inflate the amount of damages they are seeking in a lawsuit. By taking reasonable actions to mitigate or reduce their losses, the plaintiff demonstrates their good faith effort in minimizing the impact of the defendant's negligence, breach of contract, or other wrongful acts. Rhode Island courts typically provide jury instructions to guide the jurors in understanding their duties and responsibilities. One such instruction is Rhode Island Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General. This instruction informs the jury about the plaintiff's obligation to mitigate damages and explains the principles they should consider when evaluating the plaintiff's claim. Different types of Rhode Island Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General may include specific areas of law where this duty applies. For example: 1. Personal Injury Cases: In personal injury cases, the duty to mitigate requires the injured party to seek adequate medical treatment, follow prescribed therapies, and take reasonable steps to recover and minimize the impact of their injuries. Failure to do so may result in a reduction of the damages awarded by the jury. 2. Employment Disputes: In cases involving wrongful termination or employment discrimination, the duty to mitigate may require the plaintiff to make reasonable efforts to find alternative employment or take steps to minimize their financial losses during the period of unemployment. The jury evaluates whether the plaintiff has made reasonable attempts to mitigate their damages in light of their specific circumstances. 3. Contract Disputes: In breach of contract cases, the duty to mitigate obligates the non-breaching party to take reasonable steps to minimize the damages caused by the breach. This could include finding alternative suppliers, customers, or business opportunities to mitigate the financial losses resulting from the breach. It is essential for the jury to understand that the duty to mitigate does not absolve the defendant from liability. Instead, it is a factor for the jury to consider when determining the appropriate amount of damages to be awarded. The jury must assess whether the plaintiff fulfilled their duty to mitigate in a manner that would be expected of a reasonable person in the same situation. By providing Rhode Island Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General, the court aims to ensure a fair and balanced assessment of damages considering the plaintiff's duty to mitigate and the defendant's responsibility for their wrongful actions.