Fairfax Virginia Jury Instruction — 1.2 Duty To Mitigate In General Pursuing Medical Care The Fairfax Virginia Jury Instruction — 1.2 focuses on the duty to mitigate damages in a legal case involving pursuing medical care. This instruction aims to educate the jury about the responsibilities of individuals to take reasonable steps to minimize or mitigate their damages when seeking medical treatment after an accident or injury. When a person sustains an injury due to someone else's negligence or wrongful actions, they have a duty to mitigate their damages by seeking appropriate medical care. This duty ensures that the injured party takes reasonable measures to avoid exacerbating their injuries or prolonging their recovery unnecessarily. The purpose of this jury instruction is to emphasize that the injured party cannot simply choose not to seek medical care or fail to follow through with recommended treatment without consequences. If the injured party purposefully fails to mitigate their damages by neglecting medical advice or treatment, the defendant may argue that they should not be held liable for the resulting complications or increased expenses. The duty to mitigate requires the injured party to make reasonable efforts to find and obtain appropriate medical care from qualified professionals. This involves attending scheduled appointments, following prescribed treatments, undergoing recommended procedures, and actively participating in their own recovery process. It is important to note that the duty to mitigate does not place an undue burden on the injured party. They are not expected to pursue invasive or extreme medical procedures but rather act in accordance with what is considered reasonable and necessary in similar circumstances. Different types of Fairfax Virginia Jury Instruction — 1.2 Duty To Mitigate In General Pursuing Medical Care may include variations based on specific situations, such as: 1.2.1 The duty to mitigate in cases involving chronic or long-term injuries: This instruction can address situations where the injured party is dealing with ongoing health issues and the duty to seek continuous and appropriate medical care. 1.2.2 Failure to mitigate damages: This instruction may come into play when the defendant argues that the injured party has not fulfilled their duty to mitigate damages, resulting in increased costs or prolonged recovery time. 1.2.3 Consideration of alternative treatments: In circumstances where there are multiple treatment options available, this instruction may guide the jury on how to evaluate the injured party's choices and consider whether they reasonably pursued alternative treatments to mitigate their damages. In conclusion, the Fairfax Virginia Jury Instruction — 1.2 Duty To Mitigate In General Pursuing Medical Care explains the responsibility of the injured party to take reasonable steps to mitigate their damages by seeking appropriate medical care. By emphasizing this duty, the instruction aims to ensure a fair assessment of the defendant's liability and any potential consequences resulting from the injured party's failure to meet their obligations.