The Washington Jury Instruction — 2.1 With Defenses Of Misuse And Assumption Of Risk is a legal instruction provided to jurors in Washington state courts. This instruction is applicable in cases where the defense claims that the plaintiff's actions constitute either a misuse of the product or assumption of risk on their part. These are key defenses often raised in product liability lawsuits or personal injury cases involving dangerous activities. Misuse is a defense that asserts that the plaintiff's injury occurred due to their own improper use or handling of the product in question. For this defense to be successful, the defendant must show that the plaintiff used the product in a way that was not intended or reasonably foreseeable, thereby causing their injury. The misuse defense seeks to hold the plaintiff partially or wholly responsible for their own harm. Assumption of risk is another defense presented when the defendant alleges that the plaintiff knowingly and voluntarily accepted the risks associated with the activity or product that caused their injury. The defendant must prove that the plaintiff was fully aware of the risks involved, had sufficient understanding, and proceeded with the activity or product use despite those risks. By invoking this defense, the defendant aims to shift some or all liability away from themselves. There may be variations or additional instructions related to Washington Jury Instruction — 2.1 with Defenses of Misuse and Assumption of Risk, depending on the specific circumstances of the case. These variations may include: 1. Comparative Negligence: If the plaintiff is found to have contributed to their own injury through their own negligence, the jury instruction may also include elements of comparative negligence. This means that the jury will apportion fault and determine the percentage of responsibility attributed to each party involved. 2. Specific Product Use Warnings: In some cases, the defendant may argue that they provided sufficient warnings or instructions regarding the proper use of the product, and any failure to follow those instructions led to the plaintiff's injury. Subsequently, the instruction might outline the burden of proof on the defendant to demonstrate the adequacy of their warnings or instructions. 3. Open and Obvious Risk: This defense asserts that the risk associated with the product or activity was so evident that any reasonable person would have recognized and appreciated it. As a result, the defendant argues that they had no duty to warn the plaintiff about risks that were open and obvious. It is important to note that the specific language and application of the Washington Jury Instruction — 2.1 With Defenses Of Misuse And Assumption Of Risk may vary depending on the facts and legal arguments in each case. This instruction guides the jurors in considering these defenses and their potential impact on the determination of liability and damages.