s
Page ii
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTIONS: CIVIL
2018 Edition
Produced By the Publications Committee of the State Bar of Nevada
and its Nevada Jury Instructions: Civil Subcommittee
ISBN 978-1-929815-07-4
Page iii
Copyright © 2018
State Bar of Nevada
Las Vegas, Nev. & Reno, Nev.
___________________
___________________
___________________
Every effort has been made with this publication to provide the most accurate information on the subject. It should not, however,
be construed as legal advice. If legal advice is required, please consult with a professional. To locate a Nevada-licensed attorney,
visit the State Bar of Nevada’s website at www.nvbar.org
or call the Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) at 1-800-789-
5747.
If you have questions or comments about this publication, please contact the Publications Department, State Bar of Nevada, 3100
W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV, 89102; [email protected]
, 1-800-254-2797.
Page iv
LEAD EDITOR
Hon. J. Charles Thompson
REVIEWERS
Todd R. Alexander
Raymond E. Areshenko
Phillip S. Aurbach
Stephanie Barker
Richard G. Barrows
Michael Bohn
April Bonifatto
Katlyn Brady
Alison Brasier
Christopher Burk
Justin Bustos
Jessica E. Chong
Benjamin P. Cloward
Hon. Jim Crockett
Daniel E. Curriden
Hon. Mark R. Denton
Jaquelyn Franco
William Ginn
Wade B. Gochnour
Matthew Granda
Michael Haight
Ann O. Hall
Agnes Hanley
Sarah E. Harmon
Scott L. Hernandez
Lee Iglody
Brian Irvine
Justin Iverson
Lubko Jeans-Berezowsky
Adele Karoum
Michael Kimmel
Wayne Klomp
Patrick Leverty
Christopher R. McCullough
Eban Milmeister
Christian Morris
Cody S. Mounteer
Daniel Price
Hon. Bridget E. Robb
Travis Robertson
Eva Segerblom
Matthew L. Sharp
Steven M. Silva
Craig Slater
Brianna Smith
Doreen Spears Hartwell
Prof. Jeffrey W. Stempel
Marsha Stephenson
Hon. Gloria J. Sturman
Will Wagner
S. Jordan Walsh
Kristina Weller
Randolph L. Westbrook III
Hon. Jerry A. Wiese II
Hon. Timothy C. Williams
Allen Wilt
James J. Woodruff II
STATE BAR STAFF
Jennifer Smith-Pulsipher, Communications Director
Gretchen Lychuk, Publications Specialist
Page v
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
This book is a compilation of sample jury instructions drafted for a wide variety of civil trials. In
each template, the language is drafted with specific regard to the laws of the State of Nevada. In
most instances, these templates have been adapted from documents actually used in trial.
However, it is not the intent of the authors or the publisher that these templates be used as
definitive examples of any specific type of jury instruction; nor is it the authors’ intent that these
instructions be used as mere “fill-in-the-blank” documents.
On the contrary, the templates provided in this book are designed as a starting point for
practitioners to craft custom jury instructions. Indeed, in some instances, you may discover that
certain language in a given template does not correspond with the needs for your specific
case. You may find an instruction to be too neutral, or you may find it to be too one-sided. As is
the case with the use of any templates, you must customize the document for your own purposes.
While this book’s authors have endeavored to compile a broad selection of sample jury
instructions, this is by no means an exhaustive sampling. The templates provided in this book
represent a small selection of instructions routinely used in everyday practice. Nevertheless, it is
our hope that these templates will offer you a foundation upon which you may build the
instructions you propose to use during trial.
Finally, this book should be treated as an ongoing work in progress. It is our intent to
supplement and revise this book on an ongoing basis. To this end, we would like to enlist your
help. If you have suggestions for sample instructions to be included in later editions or templates
that you believe to be more in line with best practices in Nevada, please feel free to share your
suggestions with us by emailing public[email protected]rg or writing to the State Bar of Nevada at
3100 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 100, Las Vegas, Nevada 89102, Attn: Publications Department.
Page vi
DISCLAIMER AND INFORMATION
These recommended jury instructions are intended to summarize the contours of the law that a
jury will apply to the facts. They are designed to tell a jury what must be proven in order for a
party to prevail. In every case possible, the instructions were written from an objective point of
view, with an eye to being as party-neutral as possible.
These instructions are models. They are
not substitutes for the individual research and adaptation that may be necessary in a
particular case.
These civil jury instructions are the result of a project of the State Bar of Nevada, through its
Publications Committee and its Nevada Jury Instructions: Civil Subcommittee. The instructions
have been reviewed by attorney bar members throughout Nevada and practicing in different
areas and with different litigation focuses.
We have collected instructions with a Nevada focus and citing to Nevada cases. The Supreme
Court of Nevada has neither reviewed nor approved these instructions as collected in this
publication. The State Bar of Nevada plans to publish supplements in the future covering new
areas and revised instructions. Therefore, the State Bar of Nevada welcomes feedback on these
instructions.
INTRODUCTION TO THE 2018 EDITION
Since the 1970s, several unsuccessful efforts have been made to publish a book on Nevada jury
instructions. In the early 2000s, then-Chief Justice Deborah Agosti asked the State Bar of Nevada
to undertake the publication of a civil and criminal jury instructions manual. A committee of
lawyers and judges was formed, and it solicited authors and editors to assist in the process. Judge
Sally Loehrer and Deputy Clark County District Attorney Christopher Lalli provided an initial
outline. Eventually, the committee was divided into two groups, one preparing civil instructions
and the other preparing criminal instructions. This effort led to the creation of Nevada Jury
Instructions: Civil which was published in 2011. The 2018 edition continues this commitment to
provide clear, up-to-date jury instructions for use in Nevada’s civil courts and is a result of a
collaborative effort by scores of lawyers, judges, law students and laypeople. It is meant to be
updated regularly, as case law and legislation evolve. The State Bar of Nevada thanks all of those
who have contributed to this project.
Page vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FRONT MATTER .................................................................................................................... ii
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK ................................................................................................................................................... v
DISCLAIMER AND INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................ vi
INTRODUCTION TO THE 2018 EDITION ...................................................................................................................... vi
CHAPTER 1: General Instructions ......................................................................................... 20
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.1: The Duty of the Jury ............................................................................................................ 21
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.2: Repeated Instructions .......................................................................................................... 22
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.3: A Corporation As A Party .................................................................................................. 23
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.4: The Masculine Form of the Instructions .......................................................................... 24
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.5: Use Common Sense: Not Sympathy, Prejudice or Public Opinion .............................. 25
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.6: Comments by the Court ...................................................................................................... 26
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.7: Communication With Others ............................................................................................ 27
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.8: Jurors Not to Conduct Independent Investigation ......................................................... 28
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.9: Determining the Credibility of a Witness ......................................................................... 29
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.10: Consider All of the Evidence ............................................................................................ 30
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.11: Discussion of Trial and Media Coverage ........................................................................ 31
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.12: Jurors May Ask Questions of Witnesses ......................................................................... 32
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.13: Claims and Defenses of Multiple Parties to be Considered Separately ..................... 33
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.14: Jury Deliberations .............................................................................................................. 34
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.15: Jury May Come Into Court for Further Instructions .................................................... 35
Nevada Jury Instruction 1.16: Concluding Instruction ..................................................................................................... 36
CHAPTER 2: Evidence Instructions ....................................................................................... 37
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.1: Burden of Proof .................................................................................................................... 38
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.1A: Burden of Proof: Alternative ........................................................................................... 39
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.2: Clear and Convincing Proof ............................................................................................... 40
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.3: Evidence to be Considered Generally: Direct and Circumstantial Evidence ............. 41
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.4: Evidence Lost Through Negligence by a Party or Improperly Altered Evidence ...... 42
Page viii
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.5: Willful Suppression of Evidence ........................................................................................ 43
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.6: Evidence Admitted for Limited Purpose .......................................................................... 44
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.7: Evidence Applicable to One Party ..................................................................................... 45
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.8: Deposition as Substantive Evidence .................................................................................. 46
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.9: Use of Interrogatories of a Party ........................................................................................ 47
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.10: Request for Admissions .................................................................................................... 48
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.11: Prior Conviction of a Felony ............................................................................................ 49
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.12: Exercise of Witness’s Right Not to Testify ..................................................................... 50
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.13: Charts and Summaries ...................................................................................................... 51
Nevada Jury Instruction 2.14: Attorney’s Right to Interview Witness ............................................................................ 52
CHAPTER 3: Instructions Regarding Experts ....................................................................... 53
Nevada Jury Instruction 3.1: Expert Witness: General ..................................................................................................... 54
Nevada Jury Instruction 3.1A: Expert Witness: General (Alternate) ............................................................................. 55
Nevada Jury Instruction 3.2: Expert Witness: Reliance Upon Matters Not Admitted In Evidence .......................... 56
Nevada Jury Instruction 3.3: Expert Witness: Hypothetical Question .......................................................................... 57
Nevada Jury Instruction 3.4: Expert Witness: Professional Negligence ........................................................................ 58
CHAPTER 4: Negligence Instructions ................................................................................... 59
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.1: Introductory Instruction: Single Legal Theory ................................................................ 60
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.1A: Introductory Instruction: Multiple Legal Theories ...................................................... 61
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.2: Elements of Negligence Claim ........................................................................................... 62
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.3: Duty and Ordinary Care: Definitions ............................................................................... 63
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.4: Proximate Cause: Definition .............................................................................................. 64
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.5: Negligence: Legal Cause: Definition .................................................................................. 65
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.6: Concurring Causes ............................................................................................................... 66
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.7: When Third Party’s Intervening Negligence Is Not a Superseding Case ..................... 67
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.8: Comparative Negligence: Definition: Effect ..................................................................... 68
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.9: Comparative Negligence: Wrongful Death ...................................................................... 69
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.10: Right to Assume Others Will Exercise Due Care .......................................................... 70
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.11: Evidence of Custom in Relation to Ordinary Care ....................................................... 71
Page ix
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.12: Standard of Conduct for Minor ....................................................................................... 72
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.13: Violation of Law As Negligence Per Se: No Evidence of Excuse or Justification ..... 73
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.14: Violation of Law As Negligence Per Se: Jury Issue As to Excuse or Justification ..... 74
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.15: Duty of One in Imminent Peril ........................................................................................ 75
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.16: Implied Assumption of Risk ............................................................................................. 76
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.17: Express Assumption of Risk ............................................................................................. 77
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.18: Res Ipsa Loquitur When There Is No Evidence Adduced of Comparative
Negligence ..................................................................................................................................................................... 78
Nevada Jury Instruction 4.19: Res Ipsa Loquitur Where One of the Parties Has Adduced Sufficient Evidence of
Comparative Negligence ............................................................................................................................................. 79
CHAPTER 5: Damage Instructions ........................................................................................ 80
Nevada Jury Instruction 5.1: Measure of Damages ............................................................................................................ 81
Nevada Jury Instruction 5.2: Pain and Suffering: No Definite Standard ....................................................................... 82
Nevada Jury Instruction 5.3: Pain and Suffering: Aggravation of Pre-Existing Condition ........................................ 83
Nevada Jury Instruction 5.4: Future Pain and Suffering Damages: When Expert Required ...................................... 84
Nevada Jury Instruction 5.5: Wrongful Death of Adult: Heir as Plaintiff ..................................................................... 85
Nevada Jury Instruction 5.6: Wrongful Death: Personal Representative as Plaintiff ................................................... 87
Nevada Jury Instruction 5.7: Wrongful Death of Child: Heir as Plaintiff ..................................................................... 88
Nevada Jury Instruction 5.8: Life Expectancy ..................................................................................................................... 89
Nevada Jury Instruction 5.9: Closing Instruction .............................................................................................................. 90
Nevada Jury Instruction 5.10: Jury Shall Award Total Amount of Damages................................................................. 91
CHAPTER 6: Intentional Torts Instructions ......................................................................... 92
Nevada Jury Instruction 6.1: Assault: Definition .............................................................................................................. 93
Nevada Jury Instruction 6.2: Battery .................................................................................................................................... 94
Nevada Jury Instruction 6.3: Killing in Self-Defense ......................................................................................................... 95
Nevada Jury Instruction 6.4: False Imprisonment ............................................................................................................. 97
Nevada Jury Instruction 6.5: False Imprisonment: Definition ........................................................................................ 98
Nevada Jury Instruction 6.6: Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Elements ................................................. 99
Nevada Jury Instruction 6.7: Abuse of Process ................................................................................................................. 100
Page x
Nevada Jury Instruction 6.8: Malicious Prosecution ....................................................................................................... 101
Nevada Jury Instruction 6.9: Civil Conspiracy ................................................................................................................. 102
Nevada Jury Instruction 6.10: Defamatory Communication: Definition .................................................................... 103
CHAPTER 7: Product Liability Instructions ........................................................................ 104
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.1: Elements .............................................................................................................................. 105
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.2: Design Defect: Definition ................................................................................................. 106
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.3: Manufacturing Defect: Definition ................................................................................... 107
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.4: Warning Defective: Definition ......................................................................................... 108
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.5: Warning Defective: Adequacy of Warning .................................................................... 109
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.6: Unreasonably Dangerous: Definition ............................................................................. 110
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.7: Misuse of a Product ........................................................................................................... 111
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.8: Assumption of Risk ............................................................................................................ 112
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.9: Breach of Warranty in General ........................................................................................ 113
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.10: Causation in General ....................................................................................................... 114
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.11: Implied Warranty of Merchantability ........................................................................... 115
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.12: Express Warranty: Elements .......................................................................................... 116
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.13: Exclusion or Modification of Warranties ..................................................................... 117
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.14: Implied Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose ................................................ 118
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.15: Buyer’s Examination ........................................................................................................ 119
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.16: Notice of a Breach of Warranty ..................................................................................... 120
Nevada Jury Instruction 7.17: Privity................................................................................................................................. 121
CHAPTER 8: Premises Liability Instructions ...................................................................... 122
Nevada Jury Instruction 8.1: Premises Liability: Essential Factual Elements ............................................................... 123
Nevada Jury Instruction 8.2: Landowner Liability: Owner Duty to Inspect ............................................................... 124
Nevada Jury Instruction 8.3: Landowner Liability: Open and Obvious ...................................................................... 125
Nevada Jury Instruction 8.3A: Landowner Liability: Open and Obvious: Alternative .............................................. 126
Nevada Jury Instruction 8.4: Landowner Liability: Duty ............................................................................................... 127
Nevada Jury Instruction 8.5: Landowner Liability: Foreign Substance on Walkway................................................. 128
Nevada Jury Instruction 8.6: Mode of Operation ............................................................................................................ 129
Page xi
CHAPTER 9: Professional Negligence Instructions ............................................................ 130
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.1: Definitions ........................................................................................................................... 131
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.2: Burdens of Proof ................................................................................................................ 132
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.3: Plaintiff’s Burden of Proof/Loss of Chance Damages ................................................... 133
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.4: Requirement of Standard of Care Proof (Res Ipsa Loquitur Not Applicable) .......... 134
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.5: Duty of Physician and Surgeon: Holding Out As Specialist ....................................... 135
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.6: Duty of Physician and Surgeon: Board-Certified Physician ....................................... 136
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.7: Standard of Skill and Care: National .............................................................................. 137
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.8: Duty of Physician and Surgeon: General Practitioner’s Duty to Refer to Specialist 138
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.9: Liability of Surgeon for Negligence of Assistants and Nurses ..................................... 139
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.10: Informed Consent: Definition ....................................................................................... 140
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.11 Consent of Patient: When Conclusively Established ................................................... 141
nevada jury instruction 9.12 Consent of Patient: When Implied .................................................................................. 142
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.13: Who Was Authorized to Consent for Patient .............................................................. 143
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.14: Emergency Treatment or Operation ............................................................................. 144
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.15: Hospital Liability for Ostensible Agent Physicians ..................................................... 145
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.16: Rebuttable Presumption of Medical Negligence: Basic Facts Established As A
Matter of Law: Jury Question As To Basic Facts and Presumed Facts ............................................................... 146
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.17: Liability of Physicians, Others Rendering Emergency Medical Care: Gross
Negligence ................................................................................................................................................................... 149
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.18: Assessing Comparative Negligence of Settled Defendants ........................................ 150
Nevada Jury Instruction 9.19: Assessing Comparative Negligence of Non-Parties .................................................... 151
CHAPTER 10: Fraud and Misrepresentation Instructions .................................................. 152
Nevada Jury Instruction 10.1: Fraudulent Misrepresentation: Introductory Instruction .......................................... 153
Nevada Jury Instruction 10.2: Intentional Misrepresentation ....................................................................................... 154
Nevada Jury Instruction 10.3: False Promise .................................................................................................................... 156
Nevada Jury Instruction 10.4: Concealment ..................................................................................................................... 157
Nevada Jury Instruction 10.5: Fraud by Nondisclosure (Silence) .................................................................................. 158
Nevada Jury Instruction 10.6: Duty to Disclose ............................................................................................................... 159
Nevada Jury Instruction 10.7: Negligent Misrepresentation .......................................................................................... 160
Page xii
Nevada Jury Instruction 10.8: Clear and Convincing Evidence ..................................................................................... 161
Nevada Jury Instruction 10.9: Justifiable Reliance ........................................................................................................... 162
Nevada Jury Instruction 10.10: Statements of Fact vs. Opinion .................................................................................... 164
CHAPTER 11: Insurance Litigation Instructions ................................................................ 165
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.1: Breach of Contractual Duty to Pay a First-Party Insurance Claim — Elements .... 166
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.2: Breach of Contractual Duty to Pay a Defendant or Cover a Third-Party Insurance
Claim — Elements ..................................................................................................................................................... 167
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.3: Affirmative Defense — Insurance Policy Exclusion ................................................... 168
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.4: Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing .................................................... 169
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.5: Elements to Insurance Bad Faith ................................................................................... 171
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.6: Insurance Company’s Breach of Duty of Good Faith — Burden of Proof — Failure
to Pay/Delayed Payment ........................................................................................................................................... 172
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.7: Bad Faith (First Party) — Failure to Properly Investigate Claim .............................. 173
Nevada Jury Instruction 11. 8: Duty to Fairly and Properly Investigate Claim ........................................................... 174
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.9: Insurance Company’s Breach of Duty of Good Faith — Burden of Proof — Denial
of Defense.................................................................................................................................................................... 175
Nevada Jury Instruction 11. 10: Insurance Company’s Breach of Duty of Good Faith — Duty to Defend ........... 176
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.11: Insurance Company’s Breach of Duty of Good Faith — Burden of Proof —
Refusal to Inform of Settlement Offers ................................................................................................................... 177
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.12: Duty to Inform Insured of Settlement Offers ............................................................ 178
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.13: Duty to Fairly Evaluate and Pay Claim ....................................................................... 179
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.14: Unfair Trade Practice Regulations .............................................................................. 180
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.15: Delay in Payment for an Independent Medical Examination ................................. 183
Nevada jury instruction 11.16: Interpretation of Insurance Contracts ......................................................................... 184
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.17: Ambiguity within an Insurance Contract ................................................................. 185
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.18: Reliance on an Ambiguous Contract ......................................................................... 186
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.19: Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing: Defenses: Other .................. 187
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.20: Unfair Trade Practices: Definition ............................................................................. 188
Nevada Jury Instruction 11.21: Nevada Unfair Insurance Practices Act Claims......................................................... 189
Page xiii
CHAPTER 12: Punitive Damages Instructions .................................................................... 192
Nevada Jury Instruction 12.1 Punitive Damages: Recovery and Measure ................................................................... 193
Nevada Jury Instruction 12.2: Against Employer for Act of Employee ........................................................................ 195
Nevada Jury Instruction 12.3: Against Operator of Motor Vehicle .............................................................................. 197
CHAPTER 13: Contracts Instructions.................................................................................. 198
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.0: Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 200
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.1: Elements: Proof Requirements ....................................................................................... 201
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.2: Elements: Contract Requirements ................................................................................. 202
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.3: Formation: Negotiations: Oral or Written Contracts ................................................. 203
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.4: Elements: Options ............................................................................................................ 204
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.5: Formation: Offer .............................................................................................................. 205
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.6: Formation: Acceptance ................................................................................................... 206
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.7: Formation: Contractual Intent ....................................................................................... 207
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.8: Formation: Consideration .............................................................................................. 208
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.9: Formation: Detrimental Reliance .................................................................................. 209
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.10: Formation: Third Party Beneficiary ............................................................................ 210
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.11: Formation: Implied Contracts ..................................................................................... 211
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.12: Formation: Unjust Enrichment ................................................................................... 212
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.13: Formation: Certainty ..................................................................................................... 213
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.14: Formation: Ratification ................................................................................................. 214
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.15: Modification ................................................................................................................... 215
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.16: Assignment ..................................................................................................................... 216
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.17: Interpretation of a Clear and Unambiguous Contract ............................................. 217
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.18: Interpretation of an Ambiguous Contract ................................................................. 219
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.19: Interpretation of an Insurance Policy ......................................................................... 220
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.20: Multiple Writings........................................................................................................... 222
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.21: Defenses: Competency .................................................................................................. 223
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.22: Defenses: Minority ......................................................................................................... 224
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.23: Defenses: Mistake........................................................................................................... 225
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.24: Defenses: Fraudulent Inducement............................................................................... 226
Page xiv
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.25: Defenses: Duress, Coercion, Undue Influence .......................................................... 227
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.26: Defenses: Illegality ......................................................................................................... 228
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.27: Defenses: Unconscionable Contracts .......................................................................... 229
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.28: Defenses: Adhesion Contracts ..................................................................................... 230
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.29: Defenses: Failure of Consideration ............................................................................. 231
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.30: Defenses: Failure of Condition Precedent .................................................................. 232
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.31: Defenses: Impossibility/Impracticality ....................................................................... 233
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.32: Defenses: Frustration of Purpose ................................................................................. 234
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.33: Defenses: Accord and Satisfaction ............................................................................... 235
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.34: Defenses: Novation ........................................................................................................ 236
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.35: Defenses: Abandonment ............................................................................................... 237
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.36: Defenses: Rescission ...................................................................................................... 238
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.37: Performance/Breach: Time of Performance .............................................................. 240
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.38: Performance/Breach: Waiver ....................................................................................... 241
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.39: Performance/Breach: Equitable Estoppel ................................................................... 242
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.40: Performance/Breach: Non-Performance of Condition ............................................ 243
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.41: Performance/Breach: Material Breach ........................................................................ 244
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.42: Performance/Breach: Anticipatory Repudiation ....................................................... 245
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.43: Breach of Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing:
Essential Factual Elements ........................................................................................................................................ 246
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.44: Tortious Breach of Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing:
Essential Factual Elements ........................................................................................................................................ 247
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.45: Damages: Measure of Damages ................................................................................... 249
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.46: Damages: Lost Profits .................................................................................................... 250
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.47: Damages: Uncertainty as to Amount .......................................................................... 251
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.48: Damages: Economic Waste .......................................................................................... 252
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.49: Damages: Mitigation of Damages ................................................................................ 253
Nevada Jury Instruction 13.50: Damages: Liquidated Damages .................................................................................... 254
CHAPTER 14: Commercial and Reputational Torts Instructions ...................................... 255
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.1: Interference with Contractual Relationships: Elements ............................................. 256
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.2: Interference with Contractual Relationships: Knowledge of Existing Contract .... 257
Page xv
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.3: Interference with Contractual Relationships: Motive for Breach of Contract ....... 258
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.4: Interference with Prospective Economic Advantage: Elements ................................ 259
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.5: Interference with Prospective Economic Advantage: Intentional Interference ..... 260
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.6: Interference with Prospective Economic Advantage: Improper Interference ....... 261
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.7: Interference with Prospective Economic Advantage: Privilege ................................. 262
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.8: Tortious Interference Claims: Absolute Privilege ...................................................... 263
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.9: Slander Of Title: Elements .............................................................................................. 264
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.10: Slander of Title: Cause of Action ................................................................................. 265
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.11: Slander of Title: Special Damage ................................................................................ 266
Nevada Jury Instruction 14 .12: Fraudulent Transfer: Elements ................................................................................... 267
Nevada Jury Instruction 14 .13: Fraudulent Transfer: Actual Intent ............................................................................ 268
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.14: Fraudulent Transfer: Plaintiff’s Burden Of Proof ..................................................... 269
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.15: Fraudulent Transfer: Defendant’s Burden of Proof .................................................. 270
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.16: Fraudulent Transfer: Solvency or Reasonably Equivalent Value ............................ 271
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.17: Fraudulent Transfer: Transferee’s Good Faith Defense ........................................... 272
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.18: Defamatory Communication: Definition ................................................................... 273
Nevada Jury Instruction 14.19: Defamation: Trade Libel ............................................................................................... 274
CHAPTER 15: Agency, Fiduciary and Similar Relationships Instructions ......................... 275
Introduction And Disclaimer .............................................................................................................................................. 276
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.1: Principal and Agent — Relationship Defined ............................................................. 277
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.1A: Principal and Agent — Agent’s Authority ............................................................... 278
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.2: Fiduciary Relationship: Agent’s Duty .......................................................................... 279
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.3: Corporation Acts Through Agents, Officers And Employees —
Scope Of Authority .................................................................................................................................................... 280
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.4: Fiduciary Relationship: Corporate Officer’s Duty ..................................................... 281
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.5: Special or Confidential Relationship ............................................................................ 282
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.6: Fiduciary Relationship: Elements ................................................................................. 283
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.7: Fiduciary Relationship: Breach ..................................................................................... 284
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.8: Fiduciary Relationship: Special Confidence ................................................................ 285
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.9: Fiduciary Relationship: Constructive Fraud ............................................................... 286
Page xvi
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.10: Fiduciary Relationship: Question Of Fact ................................................................. 287
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.11: Fiduciary Duties: Duty Of Care .................................................................................. 288
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.12: Fiduciary Duties: Duty Of Disclosure ........................................................................ 289
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.13: Fiduciary Duties: Duty Of Loyalty.............................................................................. 290
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.14: Fiduciary Duties: Business Judgment Rule ............................................................... 291
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.15: Liabilities Of Fiduciary: Reliance On Subordinate Personnel ................................ 292
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.16: Liabilities Of Fiduciary: Reliance On Other Professionals ....................................... 293
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.17: Fiduciary Duty: Attorney .............................................................................................. 294
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.18: Fiduciary Duty: Officer/Director ................................................................................. 295
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.19: Fiduciary Duty: Partner ................................................................................................ 296
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.20: Fiduciary Duty: Shareholder (Majority) ..................................................................... 297
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.21: Fiduciary Duty: Stockbroker ........................................................................................ 298
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.22: Fiduciary Duty: Escrow Agent ..................................................................................... 299
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.23: Fiduciary Duty: Trustee ................................................................................................ 300
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.24: Fiduciary Relationship: Insurer’s Duty To Policy Holder ........................................ 301
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.25: Fiduciary Relationship: Real Estate Licensee’s Duty ................................................. 302
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.26: Fiduciary Duty: Causation ............................................................................................ 303
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.27: Fiduciary Duty: Measure Of Damages ........................................................................ 304
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.28: Negligent Professional Malpractice: Elements .......................................................... 305
Nevada Jury Instruction 15.29: Negligent Professional Malpractice: Free Services .................................................... 306
CHAPTER 16: Employment Law Instructions ..................................................................... 307
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.1: Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing: Implied Promise ..................... 308
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.2: Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing: Breach ...................................... 309
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.3: Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing: Damages .................................. 310
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.4: Tortious Discharge: Proof ............................................................................................... 311
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.5: Tortious Constructive: Discharge .................................................................................. 312
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.6: Tortious Discharge for Reporting Unlawful Activity (“WhistleBlower”) ............... 313
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.7: Tortious Discharge: Damages ........................................................................................ 314
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.8: Tortious Discharge: Mitigation of Damages ................................................................ 315
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.9: Fixed Duration: Ambiguous Contract .......................................................................... 316
Page xvii
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.10: Fixed Duration: Ambiguous Contract: Party Who Prepared the Agreement ....... 317
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.11: Continuing Employment: Mitigation Of Damages .................................................. 318
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.12: Continuing Employment: Oral or Written Contract ............................................... 319
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.13: Continuing Employment: Contract Express or Implied .......................................... 320
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.14: Continuing Employment: At-Will Employment ...................................................... 321
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.15: Continuing Employment: At-Will Rebuttable Presumption .................................. 322
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.16: Continuing Employment: Clear and Unambiguous Contract ................................ 323
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.17: Continuing Employment: Ambiguous Contract: Words and Actions .................. 324
Nevada Jury Instruction 16.18: Continuing Employment: Employment Contracts ................................................... 325
CHAPTER 17: Construction Defect Instructions ................................................................ 326
Introduction And Disclaimer .............................................................................................................................................. 328
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.1: Mitigation .......................................................................................................................... 329
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.2: Nominal Damages ........................................................................................................... 330
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.3: Damages Limited To Those Listed In Statute .............................................................. 331
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.4: Contribution ..................................................................................................................... 332
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.5: Equitable Indemnity ........................................................................................................ 333
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.6: Contractual Indemnity .................................................................................................... 334
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.7: Partnership ........................................................................................................................ 335
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.8: Negligent Misrepresentation .......................................................................................... 336
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.9: Negligent Misrepresentation: Acts By Agent ............................................................... 337
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.10: Negligent Misrepresentation As To Real Property: Award Of Damages ............... 338
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.11: Slander Of Title .............................................................................................................. 340
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.12: Fraudulent Concealment .............................................................................................. 341
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.13: Willful Misconduct: Definition .................................................................................... 342
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.14: Definition Of A Constructional Defect ...................................................................... 343
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.15: Definition Of An Appurtenance .................................................................................. 344
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.16: Definition Of A Contractor .......................................................................................... 345
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.17: Definition Of A Design Professional........................................................................... 346
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.18: Definition Of A Residence ............................................................................................ 347
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.19: Definition Of A Subcontractor .................................................................................... 348
Page xviii
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.20: Definition Of A Supplier ............................................................................................... 349
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.21: Definition Of Claimant ................................................................................................. 350
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.22: Liability Of A Contractor .............................................................................................. 351
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.23: Mandatory Disclosure Of Defects To Prospective Purchaser ................................. 352
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.24: Inadmissibility Of State Contractors’ Board Opinion .............................................. 353
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.25: Determining The Date Of Substantial Completion .................................................. 354
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.26: Construction Defect Action Applicable To Graded Lots ......................................... 355
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.27: Interference With Contractual Relations Of Homebuyer ........................................ 356
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.28: Intentional Interference With Prospective Economic Advantage .......................... 357
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.29: Measure Of Damages For Intentional Interference With Prospective Economic
Advantage And/Or Interference With Contractual Relations Of Homebuyer................................................. 358
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.30: Liability Of Contractor When Following Plans ......................................................... 359
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.31: Architect’s Duty Of Care In A Negligence Action .................................................... 360
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.32: Architect’s Scope Of Work: Exclusions ...................................................................... 361
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.33: Failure To Follow Architect’s Plans ............................................................................ 362
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.34: Statutes Of Limitation And Repose: Differing Treatment For Causes Of Action
Relating To Maintenance .......................................................................................................................................... 363
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.35: Accrual Of Indemnity And Contribution Causes Of Action .................................. 364
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.36: Common Interest Communities: Express Warranties Of Quality ......................... 365
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.37: Common Interest Communities: Implied Warranties Of Quality ......................... 366
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.38: Common Interest Communities: Exclusions Or Modifications Of Implied
Warranties Of Quality ............................................................................................................................................... 367
Nevada Jury Instruction 17.39: Statutes Of Limitation: Warranties Of Quality In Common
Interest Communities ............................................................................................................................................... 368
CHAPTER 18: Eminent Domain Instructions ..................................................................... 369
Introduction To Chapter/Disclaimer ................................................................................................................................. 370
Nevada Jury Instruction 18.1: Power Of Eminent Domain ........................................................................................... 371
Nevada Jury Instruction 18.1A: Power Of Eminent Domain — When Exercised by Private Entity ....................... 372
Nevada Jury Instruction 18.2: Just Compensation .......................................................................................................... 373
Nevada Jury Instruction 18.3: Fair Market Value ........................................................................................................... 374
Nevada Jury Instruction 18.4: Highest and Best Use ...................................................................................................... 376
Page xix
Nevada Jury Instruction 18.5: Project Influence ............................................................................................................. 377
Nevada Jury Instruction 18.6: Evidence Concerning Value .......................................................................................... 378
Nevada Jury Instruction 18.7: Comparable Sales ............................................................................................................ 379
Nevada Jury Instruction 18.8: Severance Damages ......................................................................................................... 380
Nevada Jury Instruction 18.9: Special Benefits ................................................................................................................ 381
Nevada Jury Instruction 18.10: Loss Of Goodwill ........................................................................................................... 382
Nevada Jury Instruction 18.11: Property Burdened by a Land-Use Restriction ......................................................... 383
Nevada Jury Instruction 18.12: Power Of Eminent Domain — Public Use ................................................................ 384
Appendix A: Sample Jury Verdict Forms ............................................................................. 385
Form 1: Verdict For Plaintiff ............................................................................................................................................... 386
Form 2: Verdict For Defendant ........................................................................................................................................... 388
Form 3: Special Verdict Form (A) ....................................................................................................................................... 389
Form 4: Special Verdict Form (B) ...................................................................................................................................... 391
Form 5: Special Verdict Form (C) ...................................................................................................................................... 393
Form 6: Verdict For Plaintiff — Expenses ........................................................................................................................ 394
Form 7: Special Verdict — Fraud ....................................................................................................................................... 395
Form 8: Special Verdict — Comparative Negligence Percentages ................................................................................ 397
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES .................................................................................................... cd
CHAPTER 1
General Instructions
1.1
The Duty of the Jury
1.2
Repeated Instructions
1.3
A Corporation as a Party
1.4
The Masculine Form of the Instructions
1.5
Use Common Sense: Not Sympathy, Prejudice or Public Opinion
1.6
Comments by the Court
1.7
Communication with Others
1.8
Jurors Not to Conduct Independent Investigation
1.9
Determining the Credibility of a Witness
1.10
Consider All of the Evidence
1.11
Discussion of Trial and Media Coverage
1.12
Jurors May Ask Questions of Witnesses
1.13
Claims and Defenses of Multiple Parties to be Considered Separately
1.14
Jury Deliberations
1.15
Jury May Come into Court for Further Instructions
1.16
Concluding Instruction
General instructions
Page 21
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.1:
T
HE DUTY OF THE JURY
Members of the Jury:
It is now my duty as judge to instruct you in the law that applies to this case. It is your duty as jurors to
follow these instructions and to apply the rules of law to the facts as you find them from the evidence.
You must not be concerned with the wisdom of any rule of law stated in these instructions. Regardless
of any opinion you may have as to what the law ought to be, it would be a violation of your oath to base a
verdict upon any other view of the law than that given in these instructions.
Source/Authority:
United States v. Tomoya Kawakita,
96 F. Supp. 824 (S.D. Cal.1950);
In re Air Crash Disaster
, 720 F.Supp. 1467 (D. Colo.
1989).
General instructions
Page 22
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.2:
R
EPEATED INSTRUCTIONS
If, in these instructions, any rule, direction or idea is repeated or stated in different ways, no emphasis
thereon is intended by me and none may be inferred by you. For that reason, you are not to single out
any certain sentence or any individual point or instruction and ignore the others, but you are to consider
all the instructions as a whole and regard each in the light of all the others.
The order in which the instructions are given has no significance as to their relative importance.
Source/Authority:
Yamaha Motor Co. v. Arnoult,
114 Nev. 233, 16, 955 P.2d 661 (1998); NEV. J.I. 1.01.
General instructions
Page 23
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.3:
A
CORPORATION AS A PARTY
One of the parties in this case is a corporation. A corporation is entitled to the same fair and
unprejudiced treatment as an individual would be under like circumstances, and you should decide the
case with the same impartiality you would use in deciding a case between individuals.
Source/Authority:
Silkwood v. Kerr-McGee Corp
., 485 F.Supp. 566 (W.D.Okla.1979) rev’d on other
cert. denied
476 U.S. 1104, 106 S.Ct. 1947,
90 L.Ed.2d 356 (1986).
General instructions
Page 24
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.4:
T
HE MASCULINE FORM OF THE INSTRUCTIONS
The masculine form as used in these instructions, if applicable as shown by the text of the instruction
and the evidence, also applies to a female person or a corporation.
Source/Authority:
Escamilla v. Marshburn Bros.,
48 Cal. App. 3d 472 (Cal. Ct. App. 1975); NEV. J.I. 1.02.
General instructions
Page 25
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.5:
U
SE COMMON SENSE: NOT SYMPATHY, PREJUDICE OR PUBLIC OPINION
Although you are to consider only the evidence in the case in reaching a verdict, you must bring to the
consideration of the evidence your everyday common sense and judgment as reasonable men and
women. Thus, you are not limited solely to what you see and hear as the witnesses testify. You may
draw reasonable inferences from the evidence which you feel are justified in the light of common
experience, keeping in mind that such inferences should not be based on speculation or guess.
A verdict may never be influenced by sympathy, prejudice or public opinion. Your decision should be
the product of sincere judgment and sound discretion in accordance with these rules of law.
Source/Authority:
Lewis v. Sea Ray Boats, Inc.,
119 Nev. 100, 106; 65 P.3d 245, 249 (Nev. 2003);
Howard v. State,
102 Nev. 572, 729 P.2d 1341
(1986).
General instructions
Page 26
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.6:
C
OMMENTS BY THE COURT
If, during this trial, I have said or done anything which has suggested to you that I am inclined to favor
the claims or position of any party, you will not be influenced by any such suggestion. I have not
expressed, nor intended to express, nor have I intended to intimate, any opinion as to which witnesses
are or are not worthy of belief, what facts are or are not established, or what inference should be drawn
from the evidence. If any expression of mine has seemed to indicate an opinion relating to any of these
matters, I instruct you to disregard it.
Source/Authority:
Cassim v. Allstate Ins. Co
., 33 Cal.4th 780 (2004), citing
Gist v. French
, 136 Cal.App.2d 247, 288 P.2d 1003 (1955).
General instructions
Page 27
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.7:
C
OMMUNICATION WITH OTHERS
You are admonished that no juror may declare to a fellow juror any fact relating to this case as of his or
her own knowledge, and if any juror discovers during the trial or after the jury has retired that he, she or
any other juror has personal knowledge of any fact in controversy in this case, he or she shall disclose
such situation to me in the absence of the other jurors. This means that if you learn, during the course of
the trial, that you were acquainted with the facts of this case or the witnesses and you have not previously
told me of this relationship, you must then declare that fact to me. You communicate to the court
through the bailiff/marshal.
During the course of this trial, the attorneys for both sides and court personnel, other than the
bailiff/marshal, are not permitted to converse with members of the jury. These individuals are not being
anti-social; they are bound by ethics and the law not to talk to you. To do so might contaminate your
verdict. You are admonished, additionally, that you are not to visit the scene of any of the acts or
occurrences made mention of during this trial, unless specifically directed to do so by the court. Do not
undertake any investigation of the case on your own, or endeavor to research legal or factual issues on
your own.
Source/Authority:
NRS 16.100; NRS 175.121. The first sentence of the first paragraph is taken from NRS 175.121, a criminal procedural
statement. However, it is appropriate for use in civil cases as well.
General instructions
Page 28
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.8:
J
URORS NOT TO CONDUCT INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION
You must decide all questions of fact in this case from the evidence received in this trial and not from
any other source. You must not make any independent investigation of the facts or the law or consider
or discuss facts as to which there is no evidence. This means, for example, that you must not on your
own visit the scene, conduct experiments or consult reference works for additional information.
Source/Authority:
BAJI 1.00.5
Rowbottom v. State
, 105 Nev. 472, 779 P.2d 934 (1989) (juror misconduct, in which juror conducted independent
investigation of crime, which was a prejudicial error which entitled defendant to new trial even though juror did not share her
findings with other jurors until penalty phase of trial);
Meyer v. State
, 119 Nev. 554, 80 P.3d 447 (2003) (jurors are prohibited
from conducting an independent investigation and informing other jurors of the results of that investigation).
General instructions
Page 29
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.9:
D
ETERMINING THE CREDIBILITY OF A WITNESS
The credibility or believability of a witness should be determined by his or her manner upon the stand,
his or her relationship to the parties, his or her fears, motives, interests or feelings, his or her opportunity
to have observed the matter to which he or she testified, the reasonableness of his or her statements, and
the strength or weakness of his or her recollections.
If you believe that a witness has lied about any material fact in the case, you may disregard the entire
testimony of that witness, or any portion of his testimony which is not proved by other evidence.
Source/Authority:
Kassow v. State
, No. 66510, 2015 WL 7283035, (Nev. Nov. 13, 2015).
General instructions
Page 30
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.10:
C
ONSIDER ALL OF THE EVIDENCE
In determining whether any proposition has been proved, you should consider all evidence bearing on
the question without regard to which party produced it.
Source/Authority:
State v. Ward,
19 Nev. 297, 10 P. 133, 138 (1886).
General instructions
Page 31
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.11:
D
ISCUSSION OF TRIAL AND MEDIA COVERAGE
Again, let me remind you that until this case is submitted to you:
1. Do not talk to each other or anyone else about it or about anyone who has anything to do with it
until the end of the case when you go to the jury room to decide on your verdict.
2. “Anyone else” includes members of your family and your friends. You may tell them that you are
a juror in a civil case, but don’t tell them anything else about it until after you have been
discharged as jurors by me.
3. Do not let anyone talk to you about the case or about anyone who has anything to do with it. If
someone should try to talk to you, please report it to me immediately by contacting the
bailiff/marshal.
4. Do not read any news stories or articles or listen to any radio or television reports about the case
or about anyone who has anything to do with it. This includes anything about the case posted on
the internet in any form.
5. Do not read or post anything about this case on social media.
Source/Authority:
This instruction is similar to the requirement in criminal cases.
See
NRS 175.401.
General instructions
Page 32
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.12:
J
URORS MAY ASK QUESTIONS OF WITNESSES
We also permit jurors to ask questions of witnesses. However, asking questions is the primary
responsibility of the attorneys, not the jurors. The procedure for a juror to ask a question is somewhat
complicated and has a tendency to prolong the trial. Any question that a juror asks must be factual in
nature and designed to clarify information already presented. You will not be permitted to become “the
third attorney” or advocate a position and I have discretion to preclude you from asking excessive
numbers of questions. If you feel that you must ask a question of a witness, you must write out the
question on a piece of paper and do so while the witness is still present. Raise your hand before that
witness leaves the courtroom and give the question to the marshal/bailiff. I will then halt the trial, review
the question with the attorneys and, if the question is appropriate, ask the question on your behalf. The
attorneys will then be permitted to ask follow up questions on that subject.
Do not feel disappointed if your question is not asked. Your question may not be asked for a variety of
reasons. For example, the question may call for an answer that is not allowed for legal reasons. Also, you
should not try to guess the reason why a question is not asked or speculate about what the answer might
have been. Because the decision whether to allow the question is mine alone, do not hold it against any
of the attorneys or their clients if your question is not asked.
I caution you not to place undue weight on the responses to your questions as opposed to other evidence
in the case.
Source/Authority:
Flores v. State
, 114 Nev. 910, 913, 965 P.2d 901, 903 (1998); The second paragraph is taken from CACI 112.
General instructions
Page 33
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.13:
C
LAIMS AND DEFENSES OF MULTIPLE PARTIES TO BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY
You should decide the case for or against each plaintiff separately as if it were a separate lawsuit. Each
plaintiff is entitled to separate consideration of [his/her/its] own claims and defenses. Unless I tell you
otherwise, all instructions apply to each plaintiff.
You should decide the case for or against each defendant separately as if it were a separate lawsuit. Each
defendant is entitled to separate consideration of [his/her/its] own claims and defenses. Unless I tell you
otherwise, all instructions apply to each defendant.
Source/Authority:
CACI 5005.
See
Doe By & Through G.S. v. Johnson
, 52 F.3d 1448, 1459 (7th Cir. 1995);
City of Bridgewater v. Morris, Inc.
,
594 N.W.2d 712, 716 (1999); and
Arbach v. Gruba
, 89 S.D. 322, 334, 232 N.W.2d 842, 849 (1975).
Note, however, one tortfeasor may be held vicariously liable for the tortious acts of another where the two tortfeasors were
engaged in a joint enterprise.
See, e.g.
,
Radaker v. Scott
, 109 Nev. 653, 658, 855 P.2d 1037, 1040 (1993);
Bruttomesso v. Las
Vegas Met. Police
, 95 Nev. 151, 154, 591 P.2d 254, 256 (1979).
General instructions
Page 34
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.14:
J
URY DELIBERATIONS
When you retire to consider your verdict, you must select one of your number to act as foreperson, who
will preside over your deliberations and will be your spokesman here in court.
During your deliberations, you will have all the exhibits which were admitted into evidence, these
written instructions and forms of verdict, which have been prepared for your convenience.
In civil actions, three-fourths of the total number of jurors may find and return a verdict. This is a civil
action. As soon as six or more of you have agreed upon a verdict, you shall have it signed and dated by
your foreperson, and then return with it to this room.
Source/Authority:
NRS 16.170 refers to a jury “foreman.” Most jurisdictions correctly refer to a “foreperson.”
Nev. Const. art. I, § 3 (If three fourths of the Jurors agree upon a verdict it shall stand and have the same force and effect as a
verdict by the whole Jury.)
NRS 16.130 (Upon retiring for deliberation the jury may take with them all papers, except depositions, and all other items and
materials which have been received as evidence in the cause, or copies of any such papers as ought not, in the opinion of the
court, to be taken from the person having them in possession; and they may also take with them notes of the testimony, or
other proceedings on the trial, taken by themselves or any of them, but none taken by any other person.)
General instructions
Page 35
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.15:
J
URY MAY COME INTO COURT FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
If, during your deliberations, you should desire to be further informed on any point of law or hear again
portions of the testimony, you must reduce your request to writing signed by the foreperson. The officer
will then return you to court where the information sought will be given you in the presence of the
parties or their attorneys. Remember, the court is not at liberty to supplement the evidence.
Source/Authority:
NRS 16.140.
General instructions
Page 36
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 1.16:
C
ONCLUDING INSTRUCTION
Now you will listen to the arguments of counsel who will endeavor to aid you to reach a proper verdict
by refreshing in your minds the evidence and by showing the application thereof to the law; but,
whatever counsel may say, you will bear in mind that it is your duty to be governed in your deliberations
by the evidence as you understand it and remember it to be and by the law as given you in these
instructions, and return a verdict which, according to your reason and candid judgment, is just and
proper.
Source/Authority:
See NRS 16.090(5).
CHAPTER 2
Evidence Instructions
2.1
Burden of Proof
2.1A Burden of Proof: Alternative
2.2
Clear and Convincing Proof
2.3
Evidence to be Considered Generally: Direct and Circumstantial Evidence
2.4
Evidence Lost Through Negligence by a Party Or Improperly Altered Evidence
2.5
Willful Suppression of Evidence
2.6
Evidence Admitted for Limited Purpose
2.7
Evidence Applicable to One Party
2.8
Depositions as Substantive Evidence
2.9
Use of Interrogatories of a Party
2.10
Request for Admissions
2.11
Prior Conviction of a Felony
2.12
Exercise of Witness’ Right Not to Testify
2.13
Charts and Summaries
2.14
Attorney’s Right to Interview Witness
Evidence instructions
Page 38
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.1:
B
URDEN OF PROOF
Plaintiff is seeking damages based upon [a] claim[s] of [description of claim]. Plaintiff has the burden of
proving by a preponderance of the evidence all of the facts necessary to establish:
[Plaintiff’s facts to establish].
The defendant has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence all of the facts necessary to
establish:
[Defendant’s facts to establish].
A “preponderance of the evidence” means such evidence as, when considered and weighed against that
opposed to it, has more convincing force and produces in your mind a belief that what is sought to be
proved is more probably true than not true.
In determining whether a party has met this burden, you will consider all the evidence, whether
introduced by the plaintiff or defendant.
Source/Authority:
See
Seaman v. McKesson Corp
., 109 Nev. 8, 10, 846 P.2d 280, 282 (1993) (equating preponderance of evidence with proving
something is more probable than not);
Deiss v. S. Pac. Co
., 56 Nev. 151, 177, 53 P.2d 332, 336 (1936) (holding that
preponderance of the evidence “does not necessarily mean that a greater number of witnesses shall be produced on the one
side or the other, but that, upon the whole evidence, the jury believe the greater probability of the truth to be upon the side of
the party having the affirmative of the issue”) (internal quotation omitted).
Southern Pac. Co
., 56 Nev. 169 (1936);
See
also Betsinger v. D.R. Horton, Inc.
, 126 Nev. 232 P.3d 433, 435 (2010) ("Generally, a preponderance of the evidence is all that
is needed to resolve a civil matter …. ").
Evidence instructions
Page 39
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.1A:
B
URDEN OF PROOF: ALTERNATIVE
A party must persuade you, by the evidence presented in court, that what he or she is required to prove
is more likely to be true than not true. This referred to as “the burden of proof.”
After weighing all of the evidence, if you cannot decide that something is more likely to be true than not
true, you must conclude that the party did not prove it. You should consider all the evidence, no matter
which party produced the evidence.
Evidence instructions
Page 40
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.2:
C
LEAR AND CONVINCING PROOF
Clear and convincing evidence is that measure or degree of proof which will produce in your mind a
firm belief or conviction as to the allegations sought to be established. It is an intermediate degree of
proof, being more than a mere preponderance but not to the extent of such certainty as is required to
prove an issue beyond a reasonable doubt. Proof by clear and convincing evidence is proof which
persuades you that the truth of the contentions is highly likely.
Source/Authority:
The Nevada Supreme Court agreed with the definition by the District Court in
Albert H. Wohlers & Co. v. Bartgis
, 114 Nev.
1249, at 1260 n.4, 969 P.2d 949, 957 n.4 (1998) (upholding jury instruction which defined “clear and convincing evidence” as
“evidence which is beyond a mere preponderance of the evidence”) (citing
Addington v. Texas
, 441 U.S. 418, 432-33 (1979));
see also In re Discipline of Drakulich
, 111 Nev. 1556, 1566, 908 P.2d 709, 715 (1995) (“This court has held that clear and
convincing evidence must be “‘satisfactory proof that is: ‘so strong and cogent as to satisfy the mind and conscience of a
common man, and so to convince him that he would venture to act upon that conviction in matters of the highest concern
and importance to his own interest. It need not possess such a degree of force as to be irresistible, but there must be evidence
of tangible facts from which a legitimate inference … may be drawn.’”)
(quoting
Gruber v. Baker
, 20 Nev. 453, 477, 23 P. 858,
865 (1890));
Topaz Mut. Co. v. Marsh
, 108 Nev. 845, 850, 839 P.2d 606, 609 (1992); CACI 2.01 (requiring a party to persuade
a jury “that it is highly probable that the fact is true”). CACI Series 200 at 201.
See also
Instruction 10.8.
Evidence instructions
Page 41
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.3:
E
VIDENCE TO BE CONSIDERED GENERALLY:
D
IRECT AND CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
The evidence which you are to consider in this case consists of the testimony of the witnesses, the
exhibits, and any facts admitted or agreed to by counsel.
There are two types of evidence: direct and circumstantial. Direct evidence is direct proof of a fact, such
as testimony by a witness about what the witness personally saw or heard or did. Circumstantial
evidence is the proof of one or more facts from which you could find another fact. The law makes no
distinction between the weight to be given either direct or circumstantial evidence. Therefore, all of the
evidence in the case, including the circumstantial evidence, should be considered by you in arriving at
your verdict.
Statements, arguments and opinions of counsel are not evidence in the case. However, if the attorneys
stipulate (meaning to agree) to the existence of a fact, you must accept the stipulation of evidence and
regard that fact as proved.
Questions are not evidence. Only the answer is evidence. You should consider a question only if it helps
you understand the witness’s answer. Do not assume that something is true just because a question
suggests that it is.
You must also disregard any evidence to which an objection was sustained by the court and any evidence
ordered stricken by the court. Anything you may have seen or heard outside the courtroom is not
evidence and must also be disregarded.
If the court has instructed you that you must accept a fact as proven or draw a particular inference, you
must do so.
If the court has instructed you regarding a Presumption regarding evidence, then you must consider that
presumption as well.
Source/Authority:
See generally
BAJI 2.00. The concept of circumstantial evidence is complex. Most people tend to think of circumstantial
evidence as referring to weak or less reliable evidence. Thus, California has substantially revised the concept using the term
“indirect” rather than circumstantial. See CACI 202 (referring to “indirect” evidence rather than “circumstantial” evidence).
A Nevada Ninth Circuit case went to the United States Supreme Court -
Desert Palace Inc., v. Costa
, 539 U.S. 90 at 100 (2003)
holding that the reason for treating circumstantial and direct evidence alike is both clear and deep-rooted: (
quoting Rogers v.
Mo. Pac. R.R.
, 352 U.S. 500, 508 n.17 (1957)) (“Circumstantial evidence is not only sufficient, but may also be more certain,
satisfying and persuasive than direct evidence.").
Evidence instructions
Page 42
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.4:
E
VIDENCE LOST THROUGH NEGLIGENCE BY A PARTY
OR IMPROPERLY ALTERED EVIDENCE
Where relevant evidence which would properly be a part of this litigation is within the control of one
party whose interest it would naturally be to produce it, and they fail to do so without a satisfactory
explanation, the jury may draw an inference that such evidence would have been unfavorable to that
party. The same can be inferred from improperly altered evidence.
An inference means a logical and reasonable conclusion of a fact not presented by direct evidence but
which, by process of logic and reason, the jury may conclude exists from the established facts.
Source/Authority:
Bass-Davis v. Davis
, 122 Nev. 442, 445, 134 P.3d 103, 105 (2006) (“[A] permissible inference that missing evidence would be
adverse applies when evidence is negligently lost or destroyed. The Nev. Rev. Stat. 47.250(3) presumption, on the other hand,
applies only in cases involving willful suppression of evidence, in which the party destroying evidence intends to harm
another party, i.e., to obtain a competitive advantage in the matter.”); In
Franchise Tax Bd. of Cal. v. Hyatt
, 130 Nev. Adv. Op.
71, 335 P.3d 125, 152 (2014),
reh'g denied
(Nov. 25, 2014) the Nevada Supreme Court citing to
Bass-Davis
stated, “Under a
rebuttable presumption, the burden shifts to the spoiliating party to rebut the presumption by showing that the evidence that
was destroyed was not unfavorable.” If the party fails to rebut the presumption, then the jury or district court may presume
that the evidence was adverse to the party that destroyed the evidence.
Id
. “A lesser adverse inference, that does not shift the
burden of proof, is permissible.”
Bass-Davis
, 122 Nev. 447 at 449. The lesser inference merely allows the fact-finder to
determine, based on other evidence, that a fact exists.
Id
.
Evidence instructions
Page 43
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.5:
W
ILLFUL SUPPRESSION OF EVIDENCE
When evidence is willfully suppressed, the law creates a rebuttable presumption that the evidence would
be adverse to the party suppressing it. Willful suppression means the willful or intentional spoliation of
evidence and requires the intent to harm another party or their case through its destruction and not
simply the intent to destroy evidence. When a party seeking the presumption’s benefit has demonstrated
that the evidence was destroyed with intent to harm another party or their case, the presumption that the
evidence was adverse applies, and the burden of proof shifts to the party who destroyed the evidence. To
rebut the presumption, the destroying party must then prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that
the destroyed evidence was not unfavorable. If not rebutted, the jury is required to presume that the
evidence was adverse to the destroying party.
Source/Authority:
Bass-Davis v. Davis
, 122 Nev. 442, 448, 134 P.3d 103, 106-07 (2006) (court stated “[w]hen evidence is willfully suppressed,
NRS 47.250(3) creates a rebuttable presumption that the evidence would be adverse if produced. Other courts have
determined that willful or intentional spoliation of evidence requires the intent to harm another party through the
destruction and not simply the intent to destroy evidence. We agree. Thus, before a rebuttable presumption that willfully
suppressed evidence was adverse to the destroying party applies, the party seeking the presumption’s benefit has the burden
of demonstrating that the evidence was destroyed with intent to harm. When such evidence is produced, the presumption
that the evidence was adverse applies, and the burden of proof shifts to the party who destroyed the evidence. To rebut the
presumption, the destroying party must then prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the destroyed evidence was not
unfavorable. If not rebutted, the factfinder then presumes that the evidence was adverse to the destroying party.”).
Evidence instructions
Page 44
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.6:
E
VIDENCE ADMITTED FOR LIMITED PURPOSE
Certain evidence was admitted for a limited purpose. At the time this evidence was admitted it was
explained to you that it could not be considered by you for any purpose other than the limited purpose
for which it was admitted. You may only consider that evidence for the limited purpose that I described
and not for any other purpose.
Source/Authority:
See
BAJI 2.05;
see also
,
United States v. McLennan
, 563 F.2d 943, 2 Fed. R. Evid. Serv. 750 (9th Cir. 1977),
cert. denied
, 435
U.S. 969 (1978) (as a rule, limiting instructions need only be given when requested and need not be given sua sponte by the
court);
United States v. Marsh
, 144 F.3d 1229 (9th Cir.1998) (when the trial court fails to instruct the jury in its final
instructions regarding the receipt of evidence for a limited purpose, the Ninth Circuit examines the trial court’s preliminary
instructions to determine if the court instructed the jury on this issue),
cert. denied
, 525 U.S. 973 (1998).
Note that in criminal cases the trial court should give the jury a specific instruction explaining the purposes for which the
evidence is admitted immediately prior to its admission and should give a general instruction at the end of trial reminding the
jurors that certain evidence may be used only for limited purposes.
Tavares v. State
, 117 Nev. 725, 733, 30 P.3d 1128, 1133
(2001)
holding modified by
Mclellan v. State
, 124 Nev. 263, 182 P.3d 106 (2008).
Evidence instructions
Page 45
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.7:
E
VIDENCE APPLICABLE TO ONE PARTY
During the trial, I explained that certain evidence could be considered as to only one party. You may not
consider that evidence as to any other party.
[During the trial, I explained that certain evidence could be considered as to one or more parties but not
to every party. You may not consider that evidence as to any other party.]
Source/Authority:
CACI 2.07.
Evidence instructions
Page 46
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.8:
D
EPOSITION AS SUBSTANTIVE EVIDENCE
During the trial, you received deposition testimony that was [read from the deposition transcript/or
describe the manner presented, e.g., shown by video]. A deposition is the testimony of a person taken
before trial. At a deposition, the person took the same oath to tell the truth that would be taken in court
and is questioned by the attorneys. You must consider the deposition testimony that was presented to
you in the same way as you consider testimony given in court.
[During the trial, you were shown video of deposition testimony. A deposition is the testimony of a
person taken before trial. At a deposition, the person is sworn to tell the truth and is questioned by the
attorneys. You must consider the deposition testimony that was presented to you in the same way as
you consider testimony given in court.]
Source/Authority:
CACI 208.
Evidence instructions
Page 47
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.9:
U
SE OF INTERROGATORIES OF A PARTY
Before trial, each party has the right to ask the other parties to answer written questions. These questions
are called Interrogatories. The answers to the Interrogatories are also in writing and are sworn to under
oath. You must consider the questions and answers that were read to you the same as if the questions
and answers had been given in court.
Source/Authority:
CACI 209.
Evidence instructions
Page 48
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.10:
R
EQUEST FOR ADMISSIONS
Before trial, each party has the right to ask another party to admit in writing that certain matters are true.
If the other party admits those matters, you must accept them as true. No further evidence is required to
prove them.
You will regard those matters as being conclusively proved all such matters of fact which were expressly
admitted by the parties or which the parties failed to deny.
If there are multiple parties to the litigation, these matters must be considered true only as they apply to
the party who admitted they were true.
1
Source/Authority:
CACI 210; NRCP 36(b);
see also
Smith v. Emery
, 109 Nev. 737, 742, 856 P.2d 1386, 1390 (1993) (“It is well settled that failure
to respond to a request for admissions will result in those matters being deemed conclusively established.”);
Woods v. Label
Inv. Corp.
, 107 Nev. 419, 425, 812 P.2d 1293, 1297 (1991) (“Where demand is made upon a party for admission of facts and
such party fails to respond to the request, matters contained therein are deemed admitted.”).
1
CACI 210 directions for use in the rule when there are multiple parties.
Evidence instructions
Page 49
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.11:
P
RIOR CONVICTION OF A FELONY
The fact that a witness had been convicted of a felony, if such be a fact, may be considered by you only
for the purpose of determining the credibility of that witness. The fact of such a conviction does not
necessarily destroy or impair the witness’s credibility. It is simply one of the circumstances that you are
to take into consideration in weighing the credibility of a witness’s testimony.
Source/Authority:
NRS 50.095(1);
see also
– Impeachment by evidence of conviction of crime.
Colle v. State
, 85 Nev. 289, 294, 454 P.2d 21, 24
(1969)
overruled on other grounds by Rosas v. State,
122 Nev. 1258, 147 P.3d 1101 (2006) (“The fact that a witness had been
convicted of a felony, if such be a fact, may be considered by you for only one purpose, namely, in judging the credibility of
that witness. It is simply one of the circumstances that you are to take into consideration in weighing the testimony of such a
witness.”).
Evidence instructions
Page 50
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.12:
E
XERCISE OF WITNESS’S RIGHT NOT TO TESTIFY
[Name of party/witness] has an absolute constitutional right not to give testimony that might tend to
incriminate [himself] [herself]. Do not consider, for any reason at all, the fact that [name of
party/witness] invoked the right not to testify. Do not discuss that fact during your deliberations or let it
influence your decision in any way.
Source/Authority:
CACI 216. The Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination may be invoked in both criminal and civil proceedings.
Lefkowitz v. Cunningham
, 431 U.S. 801, 805 (1977), 97 S.Ct. 2132, 53 L.Ed.2d 1 (1977).
Nationwide Life Insurance Company
v. Richards
, 541 F.3d 903, 911-912 (9
th
Cir. 2008); and
Doe v. Glanzer v. Glanzer,
230 F.3d 1258, 1264-1265 (9
th
Cir. 2000);
see
also
Kastinger v. United States
(1972) 406 U.S. 441, 444 [92 S. ct. 1653, 32 L.Ed.2d 212] (The privilege against self-
incrimination may be asserted in a civil proceeding.). Therefore, the issue of a witness’s invocation right of the Fifth
Amendment right not to self-incriminate is raised outside the presence of the jury, and the jury is not informed of the matter.
See
CACI 216 “Instructions for Use.”
Evidence instructions
Page 51
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.13:
C
HARTS AND SUMMARIES
The [lawyers] [witnesses] have shown you charts and summaries to help explain the facts. The charts or
summaries themselves, however, are not evidence or proof of any facts. Charts and summaries are only
as good as the underlying evidence that supports them. You should therefore give them only such
weight as you think the underlying evidence deserves.
Source/Authority:
NRS 52.275;
see
also United States v. Shirley
, 884 F.2d 1130, 1133 (9
th
Cir. 1989) (“Summary evidence … can help the jury
organize and evaluate evidence which is factually complex and fragmentally revealed in the testimony of the multitude of
witnesses.”) (internal quotation and citation omitted);
United States v. Nguyen
, 267 F. App'x 699, 704 (9th Cir. 2008),
as
amended on denial of reh’g and reh’g en banc
(Apr. 10, 2008) (holding that it was proper to instruct the jury that charts and
summaries are “only as good as the underlying evidence on which they were based”). See also Ninth Circuit Model Jury
Instruction 4.16.
Evidence instructions
Page 52
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 2.14:
A
TTORNEY’S RIGHT TO INTERVIEW WITNESS
An attorney has a right to interview a witness for the purpose of learning what testimony the witness will
give. The fact that the witness has talked to an attorney and told that attorney what [he] [she] would
testify to does not reflect adversely on the truth of the testimony of the witness.
Source/Authority:
Cacoperdo v. Demosthenes
, 37 F.3d 504, 509 (9th Cir.1994) (“[B]oth sides have the right to interview witnesses before trial.”)
(internal quotation and citation omitted).
CHAPTER 3
Instructions Regarding Experts
3.1
Expert Witness: General
3.1A Expert Witness: General (Alternate)
3.2
Expert Witness: Reliance Upon Matters Not Admitted in Evidence
3.3
Expert Witness: Hypothetical Questions
3.4
Expert Witness: Professional Negligence
Experts Instructions
Page 54
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 3.1:
E
XPERT WITNESS: GENERAL
A witness who has special knowledge, skill, experience, training or education in a particular science,
profession or occupation is an expert witness. An expert witness may give [his] [her] opinion as to any
matter in which [he] [she] is skilled.
You should consider such expert opinion and weigh the reasons, if any, given for it. You are not bound,
however, by such an opinion. Give it the weight to which you deem it entitled, whether that be great or
slight, and you may reject it, if, in your judgment, the reasons given for it are unsound.
Experts Instructions
Page 55
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 3.1A:
E
XPERT WITNESS: GENERAL (ALTERNATE)
[A witness] [witnesses] who [has] [have] special knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education in a
particular subject [has] [have] testified to certain opinions. This type of witness is referred to as an
expert witness. In determining what weight to give any opinions expressed by an expert witness, you
should consider the qualifications and believability of the witness, the facts or materials upon which each
opinion is based, and the reason for each opinion.
An opinion is only as good as the facts and reasons on which it is based. If you find that any such fact
has not been proved, or has been disproved, you must consider that in determining the value of the
opinion. Likewise, you must consider the strengths and weaknesses of the reason on which it is based.
[You must resolve any conflict in the testimony of the witnesses, weighing each of the opinions
expressed against the others, taking into consideration the reasons given for the opinion, the facts relied
upon by the witness, [his] [her] relative credibility and [his] [her] special knowledge, skill, experience,
training and education.]
Source/Authority:
Prabhu v. Levine
, 112 Nev. 1538, 1546, 930 P.2d 103, (1996). See also
State v. Watts
, 52 Nev. 453, 290 P.732 (1930).
Use Note:
This is an alternate general witness instruction that includes witness conflict instructions. These instructions regarding
consideration of expert testimony deal only with assessment of expert testimony that the court has ruled admissible and for
experts the court has determined are qualified to offer expert testimony. Regarding admissibility and proper scope of expert
testimony,
see
NRS 50.275;
Higgs v. State
, 222 P.3d 648 (Nev. 2010);
Hallmark v. Eldridge
, 189 P.3d 646 (Nev. 2008);
Mainor
v. Nault
, 101 P.3d 308 (Nev. 2004);
Roberts v. Libby
, 2016 Nev. App. LEXIS 255 (June 20, 2016). Regarding recovery of expert
witness fees as costs pursuant to NRS 18.005,
see Frazier v. Drake
, 357 P.3d 365 (Nev. App. 2015).
Experts Instructions
Page 56
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 3.2:
E
XPERT WITNESS: RELIANCE UPON MATTERS NOT ADMITTED IN EVIDENCE
An expert witness has testified about [his] [her] reliance upon [books] [treatises] [articles] [statements]
that have not been admitted into evidence. Reference by the expert witness to this material is allowed so
that the expert witness may tell you what [he] [she] relied upon to form [his] [her] opinions. You may
not consider the material as evidence in this case. Rather, you may only consider the material to
determine what weight, if any, you will give to the expert’s opinions.
Source/Authority:
NRS 50.285; NRS 50.305;
see also Prabhu v. Levine
, 112 Nev. 1538, 930 P.2d 103 (1996).
Use Note:
See
NRS 51.255 regarding learned treatises. The statute does allow learned treatises into evidence. Learned treatises are
another way of proving deviation from the standard of care.
An expert witness may rely upon hearsay matters that are not evidence in forming an opinion. NRS 50.285. Additionally, an
expert is not precluded from listening to the testimony of other witnesses during trial if the expert’s presence is shown by a
party to be essential to the presentation of the party’s case. NRS 50.155(2)(c).
Experts Instructions
Page 57
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 3.3:
E
XPERT WITNESS: HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION
A hypothetical question has been asked of an expert witness. In a hypothetical question, the expert
witness is told to assume the truth of certain facts, and the expert witness is asked to give an opinion
based upon those assumed facts. You must decide if all of the facts assumed in the hypothetical question
have been established by the evidence. You can determine the effect of that assumption upon the value
of the opinion.
Source/Authority:
Wrenn v. State
, 89 Nev. 71, 506 P.2d 418 (1973) (rejecting expert opinion testimony because assumed facts were not
established).
Use Note:
An earlier Nevada pattern jury instruction was reprinted from the California Book of Approved Jury Instructions (BAJI), and
provided that if a fact contained in the hypothetical question is not established, the jurors can determine the “effect of that
omission upon the value of the opinion.” N
EVADA PATTERN JURY INSTRUCTIONS, CIVIL (Lexis-Nexis), Nev. J.I. 2.12. This is
somewhat inconsistent with
Wrenn v. State
,
supra
, and perhaps inconsistent presentation of expert testimony. The old
instruction seemed to assume that the expert witness only rendered one opinion and that opinion was based upon a
hypothetical. In fact, expert witnesses may render numerous opinions during their testimony, one or more of which may be
based upon a hypothetical question. This revised instruction now provides that the jurors should simply disregard the
response to the hypothetical question, if the party has not proven all of the facts in the hypothetical question. Thus, the
failure of the proof of the evidence does not impact the remaining opinions of the witness. Rather, the weighing of that
evidence is covered in a separate expert instruction.
Experts Instructions
Page 58
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 3.4:
E
XPERT WITNESS: PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE
You must determine the standard of professional learning, skill and care required of the defendant only
from the opinions of the [accountants, attorneys, doctors, etc.], including that of the defendant, who
have testified as expert witnesses as to such standard.
You should consider each such opinion and should weigh the qualifications of the witness and the
reasons given for [his] [her] opinion. Give each such opinion the weight to which you deem it entitled.
[You must resolve any conflict in the testimony of the witnesses, weighing each of the opinions
expressed against the others, taking into consideration the reasons given for the opinion, the facts relied
upon by the witness, [his] [her] relative credibility and [his] [her] special knowledge, skill, experience,
training and education.]
Source/Authority:
Prabhu v. Levine
, 112 Nev. 1538, 1546, 930 P.2d 103 (1996).
Use Note:
The disputed instruction in
Prabhu
was:
Instruction 7 states as follows:
You must determine the standard of professional learning, skill and care required of the defendant only
from the opinions of the physicians and surgeons including that of the defendant who have testified as
expert witnesses as to such standard.
You should consider each such opinion and should weigh the qualifications of the witness and the reasons
given for his opinion. Give each opinion the weight to which you deem it entitled.
You must resolve any conflict in the testimony of the witnesses by weighing each of the opinions expressed
against the others, taking into consideration the reasons given for the opinion, the facts relied upon by the
witness, his relative credibility, and his special knowledge, skill, experience, training and education.
CHAPTER 4
Negligence Instructions
4.1
Introductory Instruction: Single Legal Theory
4.1A Introductory Instruction: Multiple Legal Theories
4.2
Elements of Negligence Claim
4.3
Duty and Ordinary Care: Definitions
4.4
Proximate Cause: Definition
4.5
Negligence: Legal Cause: Definition
4.6
Concurring Causes
4.7
When Third Party’s Intervening Negligence is Not a Superseding Case
4.8
Comparative Negligence: Definition: Effect
4.9
Comparative Negligence: Wrongful Death
4.10
Right to Assume Others Will Exercise Due Care
4.11
Evidence of Custom in Relation to Ordinary Care
4.12
Standard of Conduct for Minor
4.13
Violation of Law as Negligence Per Se: No Evidence of Excuse or Justification
4.14
Violation of Law as Negligence Per Se: Jury Issue as To Excuse or Justification
4.15
Duty of One in Imminent Peril
4.16
Implied Assumption of Risk
4.17
Express Assumption of Risk
4.18
Res Ipsa Loquitur When There is No Evidence Adduced of Comparative Negligence
4.19
Res Ipsa Loquitur Where One of the Parties Has Adduced Sufficient Evidence of
Comparative Negligence
Negligence Instructions
Page 60
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 4.1:
I
NTRODUCTORY INSTRUCTION: SINGLE LEGAL THEORY
The plaintiff seeks to establish a claim of negligence. I will now instruct on the law relating to this claim.
Negligence Instructions
Page 61
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 4.1A:
I
NTRODUCTORY INSTRUCTION: MULTIPLE LEGAL THEORIES
The plaintiff seeks to establish liability on one or more of ____________________ different legal bases.
One of the plaintiff’s claims is negligence. I will now instruct on the law relating to this claim.
Negligence Instructions
Page 62
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 4.2:
E
LEMENTS OF NEGLIGENCE CLAIM
To prevail on a negligence claim, a plaintiff must establish that (1) the defendant owed the plaintiff a
duty of care, (2) the defendant breached that duty, (3) the breach was the legal cause of the plaintiff's
injuries, and (4) the plaintiff suffered damages.
Source/Authority:
Foster v. Costco Wholesale Corp.,
128 Nev. 773, 777, 291 P.3d 150, 153 (2012), citing
DeBoer v. Sr. Bridges of Sparks Fam.
Hosp.,
128 Nev. 406, 412, 282 P.3d 727, 732 (2012), citing
Klasch v. Walgreen Co.,
127 Nev. 832, 837, 264 P.3d 1155, 1159
(2011);
Doud v. Las Vegas Hilton Corp.,
109 Nev. 1096, 1100, 864 P.2d 796, 798 (1993);
Scialabba v. Brandise Constr. Co.,
112
Nev. 965, 968, 921 P.2d 928, 930 (1996).
Use Note:
Note that NRS 41A.015 uses the term “proximate cause” rather than “legal cause” in defining negligence for professional
medical cases.
Negligence Instructions
Page 63
NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTION 4.3:
D
UTY AND ORDINARY CARE: DEFINITIONS
Generally, everyone has a duty to exercise reasonable care when their conduct creates a risk of physical
harm to others.
Negligence is the failure to exercise that degree of care which an ordinarily careful and prudent person
would exercise under the same or similar circumstances.
Ordinary care is that care which persons of ordinary prudence exercis