Contra Costa California Jury Instruction — 7.7.1 GeneraInstructionio— - Comparative Negligence Defense: In Contra Costa, California, Jury Instruction 7.7.1 provides guidance on the comparative negligence defense. This instruction is relevant in personal injury cases when both the plaintiff and defendant are alleged to have contributed to the accident or harm. Comparative negligence is a legal principle used in California to allocate responsibility and damages between parties involved in an accident. It allows for the apportionment of fault, taking into account the relative negligence of each party. If the plaintiff is found partially at fault, their total damages may be reduced by their percentage of negligence. In cases where this instruction is applicable, the jury will be instructed to consider the following factors: 1. Negligence: The jury will assess the negligence of each party involved, including the plaintiff and defendant(s). Negligence refers to a failure to use reasonable care, resulting in harm or injury to another person. 2. Causal Relationship: The jury will determine whether the negligence of each party was a substantial factor in causing the harm or injury. If both parties' negligence contributed to the harm, the jury will assign percentages of fault accordingly. 3. Comparative Negligence: The jury will be instructed to compare the negligence of the plaintiff and the defendant(s). This involves evaluating the relative contribution of each party in causing the harm. 4. Apportionment of Damages: If the jury finds the plaintiff partially at fault, they will be required to apportion the damages based on the percentage of negligence assigned to each party. The plaintiff will be entitled to only a portion of the total damages, reducing their recovery accordingly. It is important to note that there may be variations or additional instructions related to comparative negligence defense based on the specific circumstances of each case. Different versions or modifications of Contra Costa California Jury Instruction 7.7.1 may exist to address certain types of accidents or legal intricacies. Overall, Contra Costa California Jury Instruction 7.7.1 serves as a crucial guide for jurors in personal injury cases where comparative negligence defense is raised. It allows for a fair assessment of fault and the allocation of damages, ensuring justice and equitable resolutions.