Opinion ID: 2633378
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The aggravating-cause jury instruction properly states the law.

Text: Contrary to Glamann's contention, the aggravating-cause instruction correctly states and clarifies the law for the jurors: The defendant must take the victim as the defendant finds the victim and is liable for those injuries caused or aggravated by defendant's negligence. [21] Where the plaintiff claims that the defendant is responsible for the full extent of the claimed injuries, the plaintiff does not deny the existence of a prior injury or condition, there is evidence of a causal connection between the prior injury or condition and the current injury or condition, and the trial court admits such evidence at trial, the aggravating-cause instruction is an appropriate clarification of the jurors' duty in determining the extent of liability. [22] We have approved the use of an aggravating-cause instruction almost identical to the one at issue here in a case involving liability for injuries incurred in a car accident. [23]