Vermont Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense: A Comprehensive Overview Vermont Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense is an essential legal concept in personal injury cases in Vermont. This instruction explains the application of comparative negligence as a possible defense strategy in negligence claims. Comparative negligence allows the jury to allocate liability between the plaintiff and the defendant based on their respective degrees of fault. In Vermont, there are different types of instructions related to comparative negligence defense, which include: 1.1(a) — Comparative NegligencDefensens— - General: This instruction provides a broad explanation of the comparative negligence defense. It defines comparative negligence, emphasizing that it is a means to determine the plaintiff's contribution to their own injuries or damages. It guides the jury on the process of comparing the plaintiff's negligence to that of the defendant and instructions on how it impacts the allocation of fault. 1.1(b) — Comparative NegligencDefensens— - Plaintiff's Failure to Use Reasonable Care: This instruction focuses on the plaintiff's duty to exercise reasonable care for their safety. It outlines the circumstances in which the defendant may argue that the injuries sustained by the plaintiff were partially caused due to the plaintiff's own negligence. It instructs the jury to assess the reasonableness of the plaintiff's actions and determine the percentage of fault allocated to the plaintiff. 1.1(c) — Comparative NegligencDefensens— - Defendant's Failure to Use Reasonable Care: This instruction places the spotlight on the defendant's duty to exercise reasonable care for the plaintiff's safety. It explains that the defense may argue that the plaintiff's injuries were caused by the defendant's failure to meet this duty. The jury is instructed to determine the degree of negligence exhibited by the defendant and compare it to the plaintiff's actions to allocate fault accordingly. 1.1(d) — Comparative NegligencDefensens— - Multiple Defendants: In cases where multiple defendants are being sued, this instruction addresses the comparative negligence defense concerning each defendant. It guides the jury on how to deliberate the negligence of each defendant individually and the allocation of fault among them. The instruction aids the jury in assessing the proportionate share of responsibility borne by each defendant for the plaintiff's injuries. These different types of Vermont Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense collectively ensure that the jury fully comprehends this defense strategy and can fairly allocate fault between the parties involved in personal injury cases. By providing clear and concise guidelines, these instructions allow for an equitable resolution of negligence claims in Vermont's legal system.