Contra Costa California Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense is a legal instruction provided to jurors in personal injury cases where both the plaintiff and defendant are alleged to have contributed to the accident or injury in question. This instruction serves to guide the jury on how to distribute fault and determine the extent of liability for each party involved. Comparative negligence is a legal principle that allows for the allocation of fault between the plaintiff and defendant in proportion to their respective contributions to the accident or injury. It is important for the jury to understand this defense as it impacts the final verdict and potential compensation awarded to the plaintiff. The primary aim of Contra Costa California Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense is to ensure a fair and just resolution of the case. The instruction provides clear guidelines on how the jury should consider and evaluate the evidence presented during the trial to determine the percentage of fault attributable to each party. Different types of Contra Costa California Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense may include: 1. Pure Comparative Negligence: Under this type of comparative negligence defense, the plaintiff's recovery is not barred regardless of their degree of fault. Even if the plaintiff is found to be mostly responsible for the accident, they can still recover some damages, although the amount is reduced by their assigned percentage of fault. 2. Modified Comparative Negligence (50% Rule): In cases where the plaintiff's negligence is found to be equal to or greater than the defendant's, they are barred from recovering any damages. However, if the plaintiff's negligence is deemed to be less than the defendant's, they can recover damages, which are proportionally reduced based on their assigned percentage of fault. 3. Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Rule): Similar to the 50% rule, if the plaintiff's negligence is equal to or greater than the defendant's, they cannot recover any damages. However, under the 51% rule, the plaintiff can only recover damages if their assigned percentage of fault is 50% or less. If their negligence is determined to be 51% or more, they are barred from recovery. These different types of comparative negligence defense instructions help the jury navigate the complexities of determining fault and distributing liability. By providing clear guidelines, the instructions ensure a fair assessment of the situation, allowing for a just verdict and compensation award in personal injury cases in Contra Costa County, California.