South Carolina Jury Instruction — Personal Injury is a set of guidelines provided to jurors before and during a personal injury trial in South Carolina. These instructions help jurors understand the legal principles and rules that apply to personal injury cases and guide them in reaching a fair and just verdict. Personal injury refers to physical or emotional harm suffered by an individual as a result of someone else's negligence or intentional actions. When a personal injury claim is brought to court, the jury plays a crucial role in determining liability and the amount of damages to be awarded to the injured party. In South Carolina, there are different types of jury instructions related to personal injury cases. These instructions vary depending on the specific circumstances and legal issues involved. Some relevant keywords to describe these instructions include: 1. Negligence: The concept of negligence is a central focus personal injury cases. Jurors need to understand what constitutes negligence and how it applies to the specific case at hand. Instructions may cover elements of negligence, such as duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. 2. Comparative fault: South Carolina follows the doctrine of comparative negligence, which means that the plaintiff's own negligence can affect the amount of damages they can recover. Instructions on comparative fault would provide guidance on how to assess and allocate responsibility between the parties involved. 3. Standard of care: Jurors need to determine whether the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff and the appropriate standard of care that should have been met. The jury instructions would explain what constitutes a reasonable standard of care based on the circumstances of the injury. 4. Damages: In personal injury cases, jurors must assess the financial compensation to be awarded to the injured party. Jury instructions would typically include information on different types of damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and future damages. 5. Proximate cause: This legal principle helps jurors understand whether the defendant's actions were the direct cause of the plaintiff's injuries. Instructions on proximate cause would clarify the causal link and its significance in establishing liability. 6. Expert testimony: Personal injury cases often involve expert witnesses who provide specialized knowledge or opinions. Jury instructions may outline the considerations jurors should take when evaluating expert testimony, including qualifications, credibility, and the weight to be given to their opinions. 7. Preponderance of the evidence: Jurors must utilize the "preponderance of the evidence" standard when reaching a verdict in personal injury cases. These instructions would explain that the burden of proof lies with the plaintiff and that the evidence presented must show that it is more likely than not that the defendant caused the injury. These are just a few examples of the different types of South Carolina Jury Instruction — Personal Injury. These instructions aim to ensure that jurors have a clear understanding of the legal principles involved in personal injury cases and can apply them effectively in reaching a fair and reasoned decision.