§ 34-51-2-7 Jury instructions; single party defendant

Codes > Indiana Code > Title 34 > Article 51 : Chapter 2 > 34-51-2-7 Jury

34-51-2-7 Jury instructions; single party defendant

    Sec. 7. (a) This section applies to an action based on fault that is:

        (1) brought against one (1) defendant or two (2) or more defendants who may be treated as a single party; and

        (2) tried to a jury.

    (b) The court, unless all the parties agree otherwise, shall instruct the jury to determine its verdict in the following manner:

        (1) The jury shall determine the percentage of fault of the claimant, of the defendant, and of any person who is a nonparty. The jury may not be informed of any immunity defense that is available to a nonparty. In assessing percentage of fault, the jury shall consider the fault of all persons who caused or contributed to cause the alleged injury, death, or damage to property, tangible or intangible, regardless of whether the person was or could have been named as a party. The percentage of fault of parties to the action may total less than one hundred percent (100%) if the jury finds that fault contributing to cause the claimant's loss has also come from a nonparty or nonparties.

        (2) If the percentage of fault of the claimant is greater than fifty percent (50%) of the total fault involved in the incident which caused the claimant's death, injury, or property damage, the jury shall return a verdict for the defendant and no further deliberation of the jury is required.

        (3) If the percentage of fault of the claimant is not greater than fifty percent (50%) of the total fault, the jury then shall determine the total amount of damages the claimant would be entitled to recover if contributory fault were disregarded.

        (4) The jury next shall multiply the percentage of fault of the defendant by the amount of damages determined under subdivision (3) and shall then enter a verdict for the claimant in the amount of the product of that multiplication.