Instructing Jurors on General Damages in Personal Injury Cases
Psychology, Public Policy & Law, Vol. 6, p. 712, 2000
Posted: 14 Dec 2010 Last revised: 28 Feb 2011
Date Written: 2000
Abstract
The authors consider instructions that courts do or could give to jurors to guide them in making awards for general damages in civil litigation. The authors review the nature and content of current instructions about the factors that should (or should not) affect juror's awards, as well as the limited body of empirical research on the impact of these instructions. The most noteworthy feature of current instructions regarding damages is the lack of guidance they provide. The consequence appears to be awards that have considerable variability and that are influenced by improper considerations. The authors also discuss research on the effectiveness of alternative forms of jury instructions and trial procedures in preventing or reducing these problems. From Psychology, Public Policy & Law, 2000, Vol. 6, No. 3, 712-742. DOI: 10.1037//1076-8971.6.3.712 Copyright © 2000 by the American Psychological Association. Reproduced with permission.
Keywords: jury instructions, personal injury, damages
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation