Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_14-cv-00877/USCOURTS-cand-5_14-cv-00877-16/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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Case No. 14-cv-00877-PSG

[PROPOSED] FINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS ON DAMAGES

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United States District Court

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

HUNG LAM,

Plaintiff,

v.

CITY OF SAN JOSE, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 14-cv-00877-PSG

[PROPOSED] FINAL JURY 

INSTRUCTIONS ON DAMAGES

Case 5:14-cv-00877-PSG Document 142 Filed 12/16/15 Page 1 of 11
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Case No. 14-cv-00877-PSG

[PROPOSED] FINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS ON DAMAGES

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1. DUTY TO DELIBERATE

When you begin your deliberations, you should elect one member of the jury as your presiding 

juror. That person will preside over the deliberations and speak for you here in court.

You will then discuss the case with your fellow jurors to reach agreement if you can do so. Your 

verdict must be unanimous.

Each of you must decide the case for yourself, but you should do so only after you have 

considered all of the evidence, discussed it fully with the other jurors, and listened to the views of 

your fellow jurors.

Do not hesitate to change your opinion if the discussion persuades you that you should. Do not 

come to a decision simply because other jurors think it is right.

It is important that you attempt to reach a unanimous verdict but, of course, only if each of you 

can do so after having made your own conscientious decision. Do not change an honest belief 

about the weight and effect of the evidence simply to reach a verdict.

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Case No. 14-cv-00877-PSG

[PROPOSED] FINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS ON DAMAGES

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2. COMMUNICATION WITH COURT

If it becomes necessary during your deliberations to communicate with me, you may send a note 

through the court security officer, signed by your presiding juror or by one or more members of 

the jury. No member of the jury should ever attempt to communicate with me except by a signed 

writing; I will communicate with any member of the jury on anything concerning the case only in 

writing, or here in open court. If you send out a question, I will consult with the parties before 

answering it, which may take some time. You may continue your deliberations while waiting for 

the answer to any question. Remember that you are not to tell anyone—including me—how the 

jury stands, numerically or otherwise, until after you have reached a unanimous verdict or have 

been discharged. Do not disclose any vote count in any note to the court.

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Case No. 14-cv-00877-PSG

[PROPOSED] FINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS ON DAMAGES

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3. BURDEN OF PROOF—PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE

When a party has the burden of proof on any claim by a preponderance of the evidence, it means 

you must be persuaded by the evidence that the claim is more probably true than not true.

You should base your decision on all of the evidence, regardless of which party presented it.

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Case No. 14-cv-00877-PSG

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4. IMPEACHMENT EVIDENCE—WITNESS

The evidence that a witness testified differently on a prior occasion may be considered, along with 

all other evidence, in deciding whether or not to believe the witness and how much weight to give 

to the testimony of the witness and for no other purpose.

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Case No. 14-cv-00877-PSG

[PROPOSED] FINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS ON DAMAGES

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5. EXPERT OPINION

Some witnesses, because of education or experience, were permitted to state opinions and the 

reasons for those opinions.

Opinion testimony should be judged just like any other testimony. You may accept it or reject it, 

and give it as much weight as you think it deserves, considering the witness’s education and 

experience, the reason given for the opinion, and all the other evidence in the case.

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Case No. 14-cv-00877-PSG

[PROPOSED] FINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS ON DAMAGES

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6. DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE

During the trial, materials have been shown to you to help explain testimony or other evidence in 

the case. Other materials have also been shown to you during the trial, but they have not been 

admitted into evidence. You will not be able to review them during your deliberations because 

they are not themselves evidence or proof of any facts. You may, however, consider the testimony 

given in connection with those materials.

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Case No. 14-cv-00877-PSG

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7. DAMAGES—PROOF

It is the duty of the Court to instruct you about the measure of damages.

You must determine the plaintiff’s damages. The plaintiff has the burden of proving damages by a 

preponderance of the evidence. Damages means the amount of money that will reasonably and 

fairly compensate the plaintiff for any injury that was caused by the defendant. You should 

consider the following:

1. The nature and extent of the injuries;

2. The disability, disfigurement and loss of enjoyment of life experienced and which with 

reasonable probability will be experienced in the future;

3. The mental or emotional pain and suffering experienced and which with reasonable

probability will be experienced in the future;

4. The reasonable value of necessary medical care, treatment and services received to the 

present time;

5. The reasonable value of necessary medical care, treatment and services which with 

reasonable probability will be required in the future;

6. The reasonable value of necessary household help and services, other than medical

expenses, required to the present time;

7. The reasonable value of necessary household help and services, other than medical

expenses, which with reasonable probability will be required in the future.

It is for you to determine what damages, if any, have been proved.

Your award must be based upon evidence and not upon speculation, guesswork or conjecture.

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8. DAMAGES—MITIGATION

The plaintiff has a duty to use reasonable efforts to mitigate damages. To mitigate means to avoid 

or reduce damages.

The defendant has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence:

1. That the plaintiff failed to use reasonable efforts to mitigate damages; and

2. The amount by which damages would have been mitigated.

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9. DAMAGES ARISING IN THE FUTURE—DISCOUNT TO PRESENT CASH VALUE

Any award for future economic damages must be for the present cash value of those damages.

Noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering, disability and disfigurement are not reduced to 

present cash value.

Present cash value means the sum of money needed now, which, when invested at a reasonable 

rate of return, will pay future damages at the times and in the amounts that you find the damages 

will be incurred.

The rate of return to be applied in determining present cash value should be the interest that can 

reasonably be expected from safe investments that can be made by a person of ordinary prudence, 

who has ordinary financial experience and skill. You should also consider decreases in the value 

of money which may be caused by future inflation.

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[PROPOSED] FINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS ON DAMAGES

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10. RETURN OF VERDICT

A verdict form has been prepared for you. After you have reached unanimous agreement on a 

verdict, your presiding juror will fill in the form that has been given to you, sign and date it, and 

advise the court that you are ready to return to the courtroom.

SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 16, 2015

_________________________________

PAUL S. GREWAL

United States Magistrate Judge

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