Nassau New York Jury Instruction — 7.7.1 GeneraInstructionio— - Comparative Negligence Defense is a crucial legal guideline provided to juries in Nassau County, New York, regarding the defense of comparative negligence in cases involving personal injuries or property damages. This instruction aims to educate the jury on the principles and application of comparative negligence when determining liability and damages in such cases. Comparative negligence is a legal concept used when multiple parties are partially responsible for an accident or incident. It acknowledges that the plaintiff (the injured party) may also have contributed to their own harm through their actions or lack of caution. In such cases, the jury must assess the relative degree of fault or negligence between the plaintiff and the defendant(s). Nassau New York Jury Instruction — 7.7.1 General Instruction explains the basic guidelines for applying comparative negligence, including the following aspects: 1. Negligence Allocation: The instruction outlines the jury's responsibility to allocate a percentage of fault or negligence to each party involved, including the plaintiff if they contributed to the incident. 2. Percentage Determination: After considering all evidence and testimony, the jury must assign a percentage of fault to each party involved. This allocation directly influences the amount of damages awarded to the plaintiff. 3. Comparative Negligence as a Defense: The instruction highlights that comparative negligence can serve as a defense for the defendant, reducing their liability and potential damages based on the percentage of fault attributed to the plaintiff. 4. Damage Reduction: The instruction informs the jury that the plaintiff's recoverable damages will be reduced by their allocated percentage of fault. For example, if the jury determines the defendant is 80% responsible and the plaintiff is 20% responsible, the plaintiff's damages will be reduced by 20%. 5. Impact on Verdict: The instruction emphasizes that the plaintiff will only recover damages if their percentage of fault is less than the combined percentage of fault assigned to all the defendants. Different types or variations of Nassau New York Jury Instruction — 7.7.1 GeneraInstructionio— - Comparative Negligence Defense may exist based on changes in legal precedents, jurisdiction-specific rules, or specific case factors. However, these variations would primarily revolve around different interpretations or clarifications regarding the application of comparative negligence principles in Nassau County, New York. Overall, Nassau New York Jury Instruction — 7.7.1 GeneraInstructionio— - Comparative Negligence Defense provides essential guidance for juries, ensuring fairness in determining liability and damages in personal injury and property damage cases where multiple parties are involved and share some degree of responsibility.