Civil Jury Instructions Home

4.5-2  Damages - General

Revised to January 1, 2008

If you find that the defendant is liable to the plaintiff for any of the <identify contractual cause(s) of action>, then you must determine the amount of money to award to the plaintiff as contract damages.  The following instructions tell you how to do that.

If you find that the defendant is not liable for any of the <identify contractual cause(s) of action>, then you do not need to consider the subject of damages.  The fact that I am telling you about the law of contract damages does not mean that I believe that you will, or should, find against the defendant.

Notes

The court may decide to bifurcate the trial of liability and damages or may decide to bifurcate the jury's deliberations on liability and damages.  If so, this introduction should be revised accordingly.