Orange California Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General The Orange California Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General is a legal instruction given to a jury in the Orange County courts. This specific instruction addresses the duty of a plaintiff (the person bringing a lawsuit) to take reasonable steps to minimize their damages or losses. In personal injury cases, for example, the injured party has a duty to mitigate their damages by seeking reasonable medical treatment and following professional advice to recover as fully and quickly as possible. Failure to mitigate can reduce the damages awarded to the plaintiff. Similarly, in contract disputes, the injured party must take reasonable actions to reduce their losses caused by the breach of contract. This may include seeking alternative sources of income, attempting to find a replacement for damaged goods, or mitigating any harmful consequences resulting from the breach. The purpose of this jury instruction is to ensure that the injured party does not exacerbate their damages by neglecting to reasonably minimize them. It emphasizes that, while the defendant may be responsible for causing harm, the plaintiff has a duty to actively mitigate their losses. By instructing the jury on the duty to mitigate, the court seeks to prevent plaintiffs from using a defendant's wrongful actions as an excuse to generate extravagant damages. This instruction reminds jurors that they should consider whether the plaintiff has fulfilled their obligation to take reasonable steps to mitigate their losses. Overall, the Orange California Jury Instruction — 1.1 Duty To Mitigate In General reminds jurors to assess the actions of both parties involved in the case. It ensures fairness by encouraging the consideration of whether the injured party has made reasonable efforts to minimize their damages before awarding any compensation. Please note that variations of this jury instruction may exist depending on the specific circumstances and the type of case being heard in Orange County courts. For instance, there might be separate instructions for duty to mitigate in personal injury cases, breach of contract cases, or other specific areas of law. It is essential to consult the relevant instructions specific to the case at hand.