Oakland Michigan Jury Instruction — 7.7.1 GeneraInstructionio— - Comparative Negligence Defense is a legal instruction that provides guidance to juries when determining liability in cases involving claims of negligence. This instruction is commonly used in civil litigation cases within Oakland County, Michigan. The purpose of this instruction is to inform the jury about the concept of comparative negligence, which is a defense strategy often employed by defendants to mitigate their liability. Here are some key points related to this jury instruction: 1. Definition of Comparative Negligence: The instruction provides a comprehensive explanation of what comparative negligence entails. It explains that comparative negligence is a legal principle that allows the jury to assign a percentage of fault to each party involved in the case, both the plaintiff and the defendant. This determination evaluates the degree of negligence or carelessness exhibited by each party. 2. Allocation of Responsibility: The instruction guides the jury in assigning percentages of fault to different parties. It emphasizes that even if the plaintiff is found negligent, they can still recover damages, albeit proportionally reduced based on their assigned fault percentage. 3. Contributory Negligence: Depending on the specific circumstances of the case, there may be instances where the court instructs the jury on contributory negligence. This variation of comparative negligence affects whether the plaintiff can recover damages based on their degree of fault. Contributory negligence typically means that if the plaintiff is found to be even slightly at fault, they may be barred from recovering any damages. It is important to note that the Oakland Michigan Jury Instruction — 7.7.1 GeneraInstructionio— - Comparative Negligence Defense may have other sub-instructions or additional variations specific to certain types of cases. For example: — Comparative Negligence in Medical Malpractice: In medical malpractice cases, this instruction may have different considerations and guidelines to account for the specific nature of healthcare-related negligence claims. — Comparative Negligence in Auto Accidents: In cases involving motor vehicle accidents, this instruction may have variations that consider factors such as traffic laws, vehicle maintenance, and violations to determine the comparative negligence percentages. Overall, this jury instruction plays a crucial role in helping the jury assess liability in cases involving negligence claims. It ensures a fair and balanced evaluation of the actions and responsibilities of all parties involved, contributing to the outcome of civil litigation cases in Oakland County, Michigan.