Utah Jury Instruction — 1.3 Medical Malpractice Claim Against Hospital And Physician Statute Of Limitations Defense is a crucial instruction given to juries in medical malpractice cases within the state of Utah. This specific instruction addresses the defense of Statute of Limitations, which is a legal time limit within which an injured party must file a medical malpractice claim against a hospital and/or physician. In Utah, the Statute of Limitations defense in medical malpractice claims aims to protect healthcare providers from facing lawsuits for incidents that occurred too long ago, ensuring fairness and timely resolution of cases. It is essential for the jury to understand this defense to make informed decisions when evaluating the evidence presented during the trial. There are several key aspects to this Utah Jury Instruction. Firstly, the instruction provides guidance to the jury on the specific time limits set forth by the state's laws. Typically, a medical malpractice claim against a hospital and physician must be filed within two years from the date of the alleged malpractice or continuous treatment that resulted in the injury. However, the instruction also highlights certain exceptions to the typical Statute of Limitations timeframe. For instance, if the injury caused by the medical malpractice was not immediately discovered or reasonably discoverable, the injured party might be given an extension to commence the lawsuit within one year from the date of discovery or when the injury should have been reasonably discovered. Furthermore, this Jury Instruction educates the jury about the "statute of repose," which imposes an ultimate deadline for filing medical malpractice claims, regardless of whether the injury was discovered. In Utah, this statute of repose is set at four years from the date of the negligent act or omission by the healthcare provider. It is imperative for the jurors to understand that if the plaintiff fails to file their medical malpractice claim within the applicable Statute of Limitations, the defendant (hospital and/or physician) may assert the defense of Statute of Limitations. If proven, this defense can lead to the case being dismissed, preventing the injured party from seeking compensation for their damages. To summarize, Utah Jury Instruction — 1.3 Medical Malpractice Claim Against Hospital And Physician Statute Of Limitations Defense provides crucial information to the jury concerning the time limits within which a medical malpractice claim against a hospital or physician must be filed in Utah. By understanding the nuances of this defense, the jury can effectively evaluate whether the plaintiff's claim is filed within the appropriate timeframe, ensuring a fair and just verdict. Note: There are no different types of this particular Utah Jury Instruction. However, there may be variations and updates to the instruction depending on any changes in Utah's laws or legal standards related to medical malpractice claims.