Los Angeles California Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense is an essential element in personal injury cases in Los Angeles, California. It is a legal instruction provided to the jury regarding the defense of comparative negligence, which determines the degree of liability assigned to each party involved in an accident or injury case. This instruction allows the jury to take into consideration the plaintiff's own negligence and proportionately reduce the amount of compensation they may receive. In cases where the jury finds that the plaintiff was partially at fault for the accident or injury, the Comparative Negligence Defense instruction empowers them to assign a percentage of fault to both the plaintiff and the defendant. The awarded damages are then reduced by the plaintiff's assigned percentage of fault. There are various types of Los Angeles California Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense, each applicable in different circumstances. These instructions include: 1. Pure Comparative Negligence: Under this instruction, the jury assesses the degree of fault for both the plaintiff and the defendant. The plaintiff is then entitled to receive a percentage of the damages equal to the percentage of fault assigned to the defendant. 2. Modified Comparative Negligence (50% Bar Rule): This instruction applies when the plaintiff's fault is less than or equal to 50%. In such cases, the plaintiff can recover damages, reduced by the percentage of their assigned fault. However, if the plaintiff's fault surpasses 50%, they are barred from recovering any compensation. 3. Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Bar Rule): This instruction is similar to the 50% Bar Rule, with the difference being that the plaintiff is barred from recovery if their fault constitutes 51% or more. Conversely, if the plaintiff's fault is below 51%, they can still recover damages reduced by their assigned percentage of fault. Los Angeles California Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense plays a crucial role in personal injury trials, ensuring that fault and liability are appropriately apportioned between the parties involved. This instruction allows for a fair and just determination of damages in cases where multiple parties share responsibility for an accident or injury, promoting the principle of shared accountability within the legal system.