Opinion ID: 2274267
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The instructional error was prejudicial

Text: To reverse on grounds of instructional error, the party claiming the error must establish prejudice because the instruction misdirected, misled or confused the jury. Sorrell v. Norfolk Southern Railway Co., 249 S.W.3d 207, 209 (Mo. banc 2008). Instructional error is presumed prejudicial when the verdict is in favor of the party at whose instance the instruction is given. Karnes v. Ray, 809 S.W.2d 738, 742 (Mo.App.1991). Here, Mayer Hoffman requested the contributory negligence instruction, and the jury returned a defense verdict. The presumption of prejudice is not rebutted. Accordingly, CWF was prejudiced because Instruction No. 11 improperly permitted the jury to find that any negligence on the part of CWF served as a bar to any recovery.