South Dakota Jury Instruction — 6.6.1 GeneraInstructionio— - Comparative Negligence Defense, is a legal instruction provided to jurors in South Dakota during civil trials involving cases of alleged negligence. This instruction guides the jurors on how to consider and evaluate the defense of comparative negligence raised by the defendant. Keywords: South Dakota, Jury Instruction, 6.6.1, General Instruction, Comparative Negligence Defense In South Dakota, when a defendant believes that the plaintiff's own negligence contributed to the harm or damages they have suffered, they may invoke the defense of comparative negligence. This defense aims to shift some responsibility for the incident from the defendant to the plaintiff, thereby reducing the damages that the defendant may be required to pay. The South Dakota Jury Instruction — 6.6.1 GeneraInstructionio— - Comparative Negligence Defense provides jurors with the necessary information and criteria to evaluate and determine the level of comparative negligence, if any, on the part of the plaintiff. It emphasizes that the plaintiff's own negligence should be examined in relation to the defendant's alleged negligence. The instruction may outline the factors that the jurors should consider when determining comparative negligence. These factors may include: 1. Contributory negligence: Jurors must consider if the plaintiff's actions or omissions contributed to the harm they suffered. If the plaintiff's negligence is found to have played a role in causing the harm, it may reduce the defendant's liability. 2. Proportional assessment: Jurors may need to assess the percentage of fault attributable to each party involved in the case. This assessment helps in determining the damages awarded by proportionally reducing the defendant's liability based on the plaintiff's comparative negligence. It is important to note that South Dakota follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that if the plaintiff is found to be more than 50% at fault, they may be barred from recovering any damages from the defendant. While the South Dakota Jury Instruction — 6.6.1 GeneraInstructionio— - Comparative Negligence Defense does not specify different types of instructions, it is worth mentioning that these instructions may vary slightly depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Factors such as the type of accident, the nature of the negligence claimed, and the evidence presented can influence the exact wording and application of the instruction. Overall, the purpose of the South Dakota Jury Instruction — 6.6.1 GeneraInstructionio— - Comparative Negligence Defense is to assist jurors in assessing the comparative fault of each party involved and making a fair and reasoned decision regarding liability and damages in a negligence case in South Dakota.