VF-1200. Strict Products Liability - Manufacturing Defect - Comparative Negligence at Issue
We answer the questions submitted to us as follows:
1. Did [name of defendant] [manufacture/distribute/sell] the [product]?
______ Yes ______ No
If your answer to question 1 is yes, then answer question 2. If you answered no, stop here, answer no further questions, and have the presiding juror sign and date this form.
2. Did the [product] contain a manufacturing defect when it left [name of defendant]'s possession?
______ Yes ______ No
If your answer to question 2 is yes, then answer question 3. If you answered no, stop here, answer no further questions, and have the presiding juror sign and date this form.
3. Was the [product] used [or misused] in a way that was reasonably foreseeable to [name of defendant]?
______ Yes ______ No
If your answer to question 3 is yes, then answer question 4. If you answered no, stop here, answer no further questions, and have the presiding juror sign and date this form.
4. Was the manufacturing defect a substantial factor in causing harm to [name of plaintiff]?
______ Yes ______ No
If your answer to question 4 is yes, then answer question 5. If you answered no, stop here, answer no further questions, and have the presiding juror sign and date this form.
5. What are [name of plaintiff]'s damages? Do not reduce the damages based on the fault, if any, of [name of plaintiff] or [name/description of other person].
[a. Past economic loss, including [lost earnings/ lost profits/medical expenses:] $______] [b. Future economic loss, including [lost earnings/lost profits/lost earning capacity/ medical expenses:] $______] [c. Past noneconomic loss, including [physical pain/mental suffering:] $______] [d. Future noneconomic loss, including [physical pain/mental suffering:] $______] TOTAL $______ If [name of plaintiff] has proved any damages, answer question 6. If [name of plaintiff] has not proved any damages, then stop here, answer no further questions, and have the presiding juror sign and date this form.
6. Was [name of plaintiff] negligent?
______ Yes ______ No
If your answer to question 6 is yes, then answer question 7. If you answered no, insert the number zero next to [name of plaintiff]'s name in question 10 and answer question 8.
7. Was [name of plaintiff]'s negligence a substantial factor in causing [his/her] harm?
______ Yes ______ No
If your answer to question 7 is yes, then answer question 8. If you answered no, insert the number zero next to [name of plaintiff]'s name in question 10 and answer question 8.
8. Was [name/description of other person] negligent?
______ Yes ______ No
If your answer to question 8 is yes, then answer question 9. If you answered no, insert the number zero next to [name/description of other person]'s name in question 10 and answer question 10.
9. Was [name/description of other person]'s negligence a substantial factor in causing harm to [name of plaintiff]?
______ Yes ______ No
If your answer to question 9 is yes, then answer question 10. If you answered no, insert the number zero next to [name/description of other person]'s name in question 10 and answer question 10.
10. What percentage of responsibility for [name of plaintiff]'s harm do you assign to:
[Name of defendant]: ______% [Name of plaintiff]: ______% [Name/description of other person]: ______% TOTAL 100 %
| Signed: | |
| Presiding Juror | |
| Dated: |
[After it has been signed/After all verdict forms have been signed], deliver this verdict form to the [clerk/bailiff/judge].
Directions for Use
The special verdict forms in this section are intended only as models. They may need to be modified depending on the facts of the case.
This verdict form is based on CACI No. 1201, Strict Liability— Manufacturing Defect—Essential Factual Elements, and CACI No. 1207, Strict Liability—Comparative Fault—Contributory Negligence.
If specificity is not required, users do not have to itemize all the damages listed in question 5. The breakdown is optional; depending on the circumstances, users may wish to break down the damages even further.
If there are multiple causes of action, users may wish to combine the individual forms into one form.
This form may be modified if the jury is being given the discretion under Civil Code section 3288 to award prejudgment interest on specific losses that occurred prior to judgment.
(New September 2003)