Washington Jury Instruction — 7.2 Duty To Deliberate When Both Plaintiff and Defendant Claim Damages or When Damages Are Not an Issue In Washington state, the jury is given specific instructions to carefully deliberate and consider the claims and damages presented by both the plaintiff and defendant during a trial. The purpose of Washington Jury Instruction — 7.2 is to guide the jury in reaching a fair and just decision when both parties are seeking damages or when damages are not in question. This instruction highlights the duty of the jury to carefully review the evidence, evaluate witness testimony, and assess the credibility of the parties involved. The instruction emphasizes that the ultimate goal is to render a verdict that is supported by the facts presented during the trial. When both the plaintiff and defendant claim damages, the jury is faced with a challenging task of determining the appropriate compensation for each party. In such cases, Washington Jury Instruction — 7.2 advises the jury to weigh the evidence and consider the extent and nature of the harm suffered by both sides. The instruction also reminds the jury to base their award on the evidence presented, applying reason and fairness. Additionally, this instruction is relevant in cases where damages are not at issue, meaning both parties agree that there were damages caused by the incident in question. In such situations, the jury's responsibility is to assess the amount of damages separately and independently of the issue of liability. They should focus on evaluating the evidence and arguments presented to determine the appropriate compensation to be awarded to the injured party. It is important to note that there may be different variations or versions of Washington Jury Instruction — 7.2 depending on the specific facts and circumstances of each case. However, the general principles of assessing damages and the duty to deliberate are consistent across these variations. In conclusion, Washington Jury Instruction — 7.2 emphasizes the duty of the jury to carefully consider and deliberate when both the plaintiff and defendant claim damages or when damages are not an issue. By following this instruction, the jury ensures that their verdict is fair, supported by the evidence, and reflective of the harm suffered by each party.