New Jersey Law of Personal Injury with the Model Jury Charges

ANALYSIS AND JURY CHARGES SIDE BY SIDE

New Jersey Law of Personal Injury collects and analyzes the leading personal injury cases and follows with the full text of the relevant Supreme Court sanctioned model jury charges. This novel organization allows the trial or appellate lawyer to evaluate, prosecute, defend and try any tort case by focusing on the language the judge will use to instruct the jury. New Jersey Law of Personal Injury will give readers current information in the easiest possible format. Cross referenced, completely updated, and heavily indexed, New Jersey Law of Personal Injury has become the authority in this area of practice.

Additional Information

Additional Information
SKU	JPINJ20
Division Name	New Jersey Law Journal
Volumes	1
Product Types	Books
Brand	New Jersey Law Journal
Publication Date	September 30, 2019
Jurisdiction	New Jersey
ISBN	978-1-62881-647-1
Page Count	652
Edition	2020

Reviews

Write Your Own Review

View Sample

New Jersey Law of Personal Injury with the Model Jury Charges 2020, PDF (Size: 336.7 KB)

Author Info

Donald A. DiGioia

Donald A. DiGioia is Certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil and Criminal Trial Attorney. Over the past 30 years Don has devoted his entire practice to trial law. He lectures on trial techniques at seminars throughout the State and has published writings, including a chapter in the recent volume, New Jersey Trial and Evidence (NJ ICLE, 2003). Don has been an adjunct professor at Seton Hall law School on trial advocacy topics. He is a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America - New Jersey (ATLA-NJ) and has served on the Board of Governors of that organization. An advocate of the American Board of Tiral Attorneys- North Jersey Chapter, Don is a member of the Union County Bar Association and has served on the Union County Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointment Committee. He has also been chair of the District XXII Ethics Committee and currently serves as an Ethics Master. He was named as Professional Lawyer of the Year by the Union County Bar Association in 2004.

James Hely

James Hely was appointed judge of the New Jersey Superior Court,sitting in Union County, in July 2009. He is a former member of Weiseman Hely DiGioia in Mountainside, New Jersey, and was certified by the Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney. He has been a frequent lecturer for the New Jersey Association for Justice (formerly ATLA-NJ), NJICLE, the Union County Bar Association, and the New Jersey Law . He has published other books and articles on trial practice in and other journals. In 1984, he and another attorney obtained the largest injury award in the history of New Jersey up to that time for a paralysis victim. In 1988, he achieved the first punitive damage award against the Audi 5000 for unintended acceleration. He has been an Executive Committee member of the New Jersey Association for Justice, a Master of the Richard J. Hughes Inns of Court, an Advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates-North Jersey, and board of trustees member of the Union County Bar Association. He serves on the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on the Rules of Evidence. Donald A. DiGioia, a member of Weiseman Hely DiGioia in Mountainside, New Jersey, is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil and Criminal Trial Attorney. DiGioia has been a practicing trial lawyer for more than 30 years. He lectures on trial techniques at seminars throughout the state and has published writings, including a chapter in the recent volume, New Jersey Trial and Evidence (NJICLE 2008). He has been an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University Law School on trial advocacy topics. He is a member of the New Jersey Association for Justice (formerly ATLA-NJ), and has served on the Board of Governors of that organization. An Advocate of the America Board of Trial Attorneys-North Jersey Chapter, he is a member of the Union County Bar Association and has served on the Union County Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointment Committee. A former Chair of the District XII. James Hely receives no compensation for his work on this text. All author royalties will be donated to charity.

Table Of Contents

Table of Contents

Chapter 1
Negligence and Duty—General Concept 1

1-1 WHAT IS NEGLIGENCE?............................................................................... 1

Model Civil Jury Charge 5.10A..................................................................................... 2

NEGLIGENCE AND ORDINARY CARE—GENERAL (Approved before 1984)

1-2 EXISTENCE OF A DUTY—A MATTER OF LAW...................................... 3

1-3 FORESEEABILITY AS A FACTOR FOR THE JURY
TO CONSIDER................................................................................................... 5

Model Civil Jury Charge 5.10B..................................................................................... 6

FORESEEABILITY (AS AFFECTING NEGLIGENCE) (Approved before 1984)

1-4 ASSUMPTION OF RISK CONCEPT DISCARDED..................................... 7

1-5 PLAINTIFF’S BURDEN OF PROOF—PREPONDERANCE
OF EVIDENCE ................................................................................................... 7

Model Civil Jury Charge 1.12(G), (H), (I).................................................................... 9

GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR STANDARD CHARGE (Approved 11/98)

1-6 NET Opinions AnD RES IPSA LOQUITUR—THE THING
SPEAKS FOR ITSELF..................................................................................... 10

1-6:1....... Requirements Necessary to Invoke Res Ipsa 13

Model Civil Jury Charge 5.10D.................................................................................. 14

RES IPSA LOQUITUR (Approved 10/90)

1-7 ACTS OF GOD.................................................................................................. 16

Model Civil Jury Charge 5.10E................................................................................... 17

ACT OF GOD (Approved before 1984)

1-8 SUDDEN EMERGENCY CLAIMS............................................................... 18

1-9 PARENTAL IMMUNITY AND ITS EXCEPTIONS.................................. 19

1-10 DUTIES VOLUNTARILY ASSUMED......................................................... 20

Model Civil Jury Charge 5.10C.................................................................................. 20

UNDERTAKING VOLUNTARILY ASSUMED (Approved before 1984)

1-11 PER SE NEGLIGENCE................................................................................... 21

EVIDENCE OF AND PER SE NEGLIGENCE (04/2016)......................................... 21

1-12 GROSS NEGLIGENCE................................................................................... 23

Chapter 2
Proximate Cause 25

2-1 PROXIMATE CAUSE DEFINED.................................................................. 25

2-1:1....... Required Proof of Proximate Cause—Routine
Tort Case........... 26

2-1:2....... Non-Routine Tort Case—Substantial Factor Test
Where There are Concurrent Causes of Harm 27

Model Civil Jury Charge 6.10..................................................................................... 28

PROXIMATE CAUSE—GENERAL CHARGE TO BE GIVEN
IN ALL CASES (Approved 05/1998; Revised 01/2017)

Model Civil Jury Charge 6.11 .................................................................................... 29

PROXIMATE CAUSE—ROUTINE TORT CASE WHERE NO ISSUES OF
CONCURRENT OR INTERVENING CAUSES, OR FORESEEABILITY
OF INJURY OR HARM (Approved 08/99; Revised 04/16)

Model Civil Jury Charge 6.12..................................................................................... 30

PROXIMATE CAUSE—WHERE THERE IS CLAIM THAT
CONCURRENT CAUSES OF HARM WERE PRESENT (Approved 5/98)

2-2 SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE CASES....................................................... 31

2-3 INTERVENING OR SUPERSEDING CAUSES.......................................... 31

Model Civil Jury Charge 6.14..................................................................................... 32

PROXIMATE CAUSE—WHERE THERE IS CLAIM OF INTERVENING
OR SUPERSEDING CAUSE FOR JURY’S CONSIDERATION
(Approved 8/99)

2-4 PROXIMATE CAUSE AND FORESEEABILITY—DO THEY BELONG TOGETHER? 33

Model Civil Jury Charge 6.13..................................................................................... 34

PROXIMATE CAUSE—WHERE THERE IS CLAIM THAT
CONCURRENT CAUSES OF HARM ARE PRESENT AND CLAIM
THAT SPECIFIC HARM WAS NOT FORESEEABLE
(Approved 5/98)

Chapter 3
Comparative Negligence 37

3-1 BASIC STATUTORY PRINCIPLES............................................................ 37

3-1:1....... Action Against One Defendant 37

3-1:2....... Action Against More Than One Defendant 37

3-1:3....... Damage Reduction and Responsibilities 38

3-2 ULTIMATE OUTCOME—HOW THE JURY IS INSTRUCTED
IN COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE CASES ............................................. 39

Model Civil Jury Charge 7.31..................................................................................... 40

COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE/FAULT: ULTIMATE OUTCOME
(Approved 03/2000; Revised 09/2018)

Model Civil Jury Charge 7.32..................................................................................... 43

COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE: INTERROGATORIES
(Approved before 1985)

3-3 COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE IN AUTO CASES................................. 47

Model Civil Jury Charge 7.30..................................................................................... 48

COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE (AUTO)—ALL ISSUES
(Approved 6/1989; Revised 12/2011)

3-4 CHILDREN CHARGED WITH
COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE.................................................................. 52

Model Civil Jury Charge 7.11..................................................................................... 53

CARE REQUIRED OF CHILDREN (Approved 5/91)

3-5 COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE AS TO A PASSENGER
IN AN AUTO..................................................................................................... 55

Model Civil Jury Charge 7.12..................................................................................... 56

DUTY OF PASSENGER IN AUTOMOBILE (Approved 5/91)

3-6 INTOXICATION OF A PLAINTIFF
AND COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE........................................................ 57

Model Civil Jury Charge 7.13..................................................................................... 57

NEGLIGENCE—INTOXICATION (Approved 5/91)

3-7
PHYSICAL DISABILITY OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT
AND COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE........................................................ 58

Model Civil Jury Charge 7.14..................................................................................... 59

NEGLIGENCE—EFFECT OF PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT (Approved 5/91)

3-8 PEDESTRIANS ON A SIDEWALK
AND COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE........................................................ 59

Model Civil Jury Charge 7.15..................................................................................... 59

NEGLIGENCE—CARE REQUIRED OF PEDESTRIAN
ON SIDEWALK (Approved 5/91)

3-9 INTENTIONAL ACTS AND COMPARATIVE
NEGLIGENCE.................................................................................................. 60

Model Civil Jury Charge 7.16..................................................................................... 60

APPORTIONMENT WHERE THE ACTS, OR INACTIONS, OF AN

INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY SUBSTANTIALLY CONTRIBUTED
TO THE ALLEGED HARM (Approved 10/1991; Revised 09/2018)

Chapter 4
Damages in Personal Injury Cases 63

4-1 OVERVIEW...................................................................................................... 63

4-1:1....... Actual Out-of-Pocket Losses 64

4-1:2....... Unliquidated Damages 64

4-1:2.1....... Counsel Prohibited From Mentioning
Dollar Amount and Other Improper
Comments By Counsel 65

4-1:3....... Remittitur and Additur 68

4-2 DISABILITY, IMPAIRMENT, LOSS OF ENJOYMENT
OF LIFE, PAIN AND SUFFERING............................................................... 70

Model Civil Jury Charge 8.11E................................................................................... 71

DAMAGES CHARGES—GENERAL

DISABILITY, IMPAIRMENT AND LOSS OF THE ENJOYMENT
OF LIFE, PAIN AND SUFFERING (Approved 12/1996; Revised 05/2017)

4-3 PERMANENT INJURY, life expectancy,
AND enhanced risk of future harm.......................................... 73

Model Civil Jury Charge 8.11G.................................................................................. 74

DAMAGES CHARGES—GENERAL

LIFE EXPECTANCY (Approved 2/96)

4-4 PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS AND ASSESSMENT
OF DAMAGES.................................................................................................. 74

Model Civil Jury Charge 8.11F................................................................................... 76

DAMAGES CHARGES—GENERAL

AGGRAVATION OF THE PREEXISTING DISABILITY (Approved 1/97)

4-5 A PLAINTIFF’S DUTY TO MITIGATE DAMAGES
BY MEDICAL TREATMENT....................................................................... 77

Model Civil Jury Charge 8.11B................................................................................... 78

DAMAGES CHARGES—GENERAL

DUTY TO MITIGATE DAMAGES BY MEDICAL AND
SURGICAL TREATMENT (Adopted 12/96; Revised 10/00)

4-6 MEDICAL EXPENSES AS AN ELEMENT OF DAMAGES.................... 80

Model Civil Jury Charge 8.11A................................................................................... 82

DAMAGES CHARGES—GENERAL

MEDICAL EXPENSES (NON-AUTO) (Approved 12/96)

Model Civil Jury Charge 8.20..................................................................................... 84

Medical Expenses (Auto) (Approved 12/1996; Revised 01/2017)

4-6:1....... Future Medical Monitoring Expenses 84

4-7 PAST AND FUTURE LOSS OF INCOME................................................... 84

Model Civil Jury Charge 8.11C.................................................................................. 86

DAMAGES CHARGES—GENERAL

LOSS OF EARNINGS (Approved 12/88; Revised 7/10)

4-8 DAMAGE TO A SPOUSE FOR LOSS OF SERVICES,
SOCIETY AND CONSORTIUM................................................................... 90

Model Civil Jury Charge 8.30B................................................................................... 91

DAMAGES—PER QUOD

Loss of Spouse’s Services, Society and Consortium (Approved 2/96)

4-9 PARENTAL LOSS WHEN CHILD IS INJURED....................................... 92

Model Civil Jury Charge 8.30C.................................................................................. 92

DAMAGES—PER QUOD

Loss of Child’s Services and Earnings (Approved 2/96)

4-10 A CHILD’S LOSS OF SERVICES AND CONSORTIUM
WHEN A PARENT IS INJURED................................................................... 93

4-11 BYSTANDER DAMAGE FOR EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
FROM WITNESSING AN INJURY.............................................................. 93

Model Civil Jury Charge 5.10F................................................................................... 94

NEGLIGENCE—EMOTIONAL DISTRESS FROM WITNESSING SERIOUS
INJURY TO AN INTIMATE FAMILY MEMBER (Approved 5/84)

4-12 NON-TAXABILITY OF PERSONAL DAMAGE AWARDS.................... 96

Model Civil Jury Charge 8.48..................................................................................... 96

TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PERSONAL INJURY AWARD
(Adopted 1/97; Revised 3/01)

4-13 APPORTIONMENT OF DAMAGES BETWEEN PLAINTIFF
AND DEFENDANTS AND AMONG DEFENDANTS................................ 97

Chapter 5
Statute of Limitations and Repose 99

5-1 THE BASIC STATUTORY RULE................................................................ 99

5-2 THE OBLIGATION TO TIMELY RAISE THE DEFENSE................... 101

5-3 THE DISCOVERY RULE AND THE STATUTE
OF LIMITATIONS........................................................................................ 102

5-4 WRONGFUL DEATH CASES, SURVIVORSHIP CLAIMS,
AND THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS................................................. 103

5-5 FICTITIOUS NAME OR ‘JOHN DOE’ PLEADINGS
TO EXTEND THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.................................. 103

Chapter 6
Negligence on the Roadways 105

6-1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ROADWAY CONDUCT.......................... 105

Model Civil Jury Charge 5.30A................................................................................ 106

General Duty Owing (Approved 8/99)

6-2 SOME COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES OF DRIVING............................ 107

6-2:1....... Specific Duties to Make Observations 107

Model Civil Jury Charge 5.30G.1............................................................................. 107