PBI Electronic Publication # EP-525

Contents of Pennsylvania Suggested Standard Civil Jury Instructions, 3rd edition Lee C. Swartz, Esq., Chair* Hon. Jeannine Turgeon, Vice Chair* Barbara R. Axelrod, Esq., Reporter* Hon. Mark I. Bernstein* Barbara R. Binis, Esq.

Vanessa Browne-Barbour, Esq. Gary S. Gildin, Esq. Clifford A. Rieders, Esq.* Ira B. Silverstein, Esq.*

*These members of the Civil Jury Instructions Subcommittee also contributed to the Third Edition, 2005, along with David E. Lehman, Esq. and John R. Lenahan, Esq.

Disclaimer: As indicated in the title of this volume, these instructions are only suggested. Unlike other Pennsylvania Supreme Court committees, this committee does not submit the suggested instructions to the court for approval. Traditionally, the court has decided to rule on them on a case-by-case basis. Many of the instructions have been reviewed by the appellate courts of Pennsylvania. The subcommittee notes reflect many of these rulings.

From the Pennsylvania Suggested Standard Civil Jury Instructions Pub. No. 3698, published February 2009 To purchase this book: • See the PBI Online Bookstore at www.pbi.org • Email [email protected], or • Call 1-800-932-4637 © 2009 Pennsylvania Bar Institute. All rights reserved. This file is licensed only to the person downloading this file from PBI’s website, for printing and for saving to his or her personal computer. No further use is permitted. This file may not be shared electronically with any other person without the express written permission of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. The Pennsylvania Bar Institute does not render any legal, accounting, or other professional services. The Institute’s programs and publications are designed solely to help attorneys maintain their professional competence. In dealing with specific legal matters, the attorney using PBI publications or orally conveyed information should also research original sources of authority.

PENNSYLVANIA SUGGESTED STANDARD CIVIL JURY INSTRUCTIONS 11

Table of Contents Volume I

Jury Instructions Committees...................................................................................................................... S-iii Introduction to the 2009 Supplement ...........................................................................................................S-iv Introduction to the 2008 Supplement ...........................................................................................................S-iv Introduction to the Third Edition (2005) ........................................................................................................ vi Introduction to the Second Edition (2003) ..................................................................................................... vii Introduction to the 1981 Edition ................................................................................................................... viii Preface (2005) ................................................................................................................................................... xi Preface (1981) ................................................................................................................................................. xiii Foreword (1980) ...............................................................................................................................................xv Remarks of Chief Justice Henry X. O’Brien (1981)....................................................................................... xvi How to Use This Manual ............................................................................................................................... S-v About the Instructions on CD-ROM ........................................................................................................... S-vii CHAPTER I—Preliminary Instructions Revised*

1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14

*

Instructions to Jurors......................................................................................................... Preliminary Instructions—General................................................................................... Welcome and Explanation of Nature of Case.................................................................... Duty of Citizens to Serve as Jurors ................................................................................... Excusing Jurors for Personal Reasons Based on Length of Trial.................................... Number of Jurors to be Selected and Procedure for Taking Position in Jury Box ......... Introduction of Parties, Counsel, and Potential Witnesses.............................................. Type of Case ........................................................................................................................ Explanation to Jury Panel of Voir Dire............................................................................. Voir Dire.............................................................................................................................. Oath on Voir Dire ............................................................................................................... Description of Case ............................................................................................................. Settling Defendants............................................................................................................ Identification of Potential Witnesses.................................................................................

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As of October 2005, the revisions made to instructions have been identified as to whether revisions were to number, title, instruction, or note. The revision type and date have been noted at the bottom of the first page of each of these instructions.

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Pennsylvania Suggested Standard Civil Jury Instructions

Revised

1.15 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.35 1.36 1.37 1.38 1.39 1.40 1.41 1.42 1.43 1.44 1.45 1.46 1.48 1.49 1.50 1.51 1.52

Particularized Questions .................................................................................................... Selection of Jury.................................................................................................................. Selection of Jury—General ................................................................................................. Counsel’s Right to Peremptory Challenges ....................................................................... Miscellaneous General Remarks While Counsel Selects Jury ......................................... Excusing the Balance of the Jury after Selection Is Complete......................................... Seating of Jury .................................................................................................................... Oath Administered to Jury................................................................................................. Preliminary Instructions at Commencement of Trial....................................................... Introductory Comment ....................................................................................................... Formal Welcome.................................................................................................................. Alternates ............................................................................................................................ Duty of Jury......................................................................................................................... Schedule............................................................................................................................... Outline of Trial.................................................................................................................... Bench Conferences and Recesses ....................................................................................... Ruling on Objections ........................................................................................................... Cautionary Instructions—Bias on Account of Race, Religion, Etc................................... Questions by Jurors ............................................................................................................ Jury to be Guided by Official English Translation/Interpretation................................... Burden of Proof and Preponderance of Evidence .............................................................. Admitted Negligence........................................................................................................... Credibility of Witnesses Generally .................................................................................... Discrepancies in Testimony................................................................................................ Witness Willfully False....................................................................................................... Evidence............................................................................................................................... Direct and Circumstantial Evidence.................................................................................. No Transcript Available to Jury......................................................................................... Note-taking by Jurors ......................................................................................................... Conduct of the Jury.............................................................................................................

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CHAPTER II—General Instructions During Trial 2.00 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.10 2.11 2.15 2.16 2.19 2.20 2.21

General Instructions During Trial—Introduction ............................................................ Deposition Testimony ......................................................................................................... Documentary Evidence in Cases Following Appeal from Compulsory Arbitration (Waiver of Testimony at Trial) ....................................................................... Expert Witness Reports ...................................................................................................... Admissions of Fact .............................................................................................................. Stipulations of Fact............................................................................................................. Evidence Admitted for Limited Purpose or as to One Party Only ................................... Subsequent Remedial Measures ........................................................................................ Exhibits................................................................................................................................ Impeachment or Corroboration of Witness by Prior Inconsistent or Consistent Statement ......................................................................................................... Computer-Generated Animation (CGA) Evidence ............................................................

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Table of Contents

Revised

CHAPTER III—Negligence Actions 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.02A 3.02B 3.02C 3.02D 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.15A 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.22A 3.23 3.24

Issues in the Case ............................................................................................................... Negligence—Definition....................................................................................................... Duty of Care: Common Carrier to Passenger—Generally ............................................... Duty of Care: Common Carrier to Passenger—Sudden Stop, Jolt, or Jerk..................... Duty of Care: Common Carrier’s Duty of Care to Disabled or Infirm Passenger ........... Duty of Care: Ultrahazardous Activity—Absolute Liability ............................................ Duty of Care: Inherently Dangerous Instrumentality ..................................................... Negligence Per Se—Violation of Statute........................................................................... Evidence of Negligence—Violation of OSHA Regulation or ANSI Standard .................. Evidence of Negligence—Violation of Statute (With Exculpatory Explanation) ............ Reckless Conduct—Defined ............................................................................................... Gross Negligence—Definition ............................................................................................ Standard of Care Applicable to Children .......................................................................... Sudden Emergency ............................................................................................................. Assumption of Risk............................................................................................................. Factual Cause ..................................................................................................................... Increased Risk of Harm...................................................................................................... Concurring Causes ............................................................................................................. Concurring Causes—Either Alone Sufficient ................................................................... Intervening or Superseding Cause .................................................................................... Isolation of Sole Cause among Multiple Actors ................................................................ Plaintiff’s Negligence (Comparative/Contributory) .......................................................... Comparative Negligence and Apportionment Among Joint Tortfeasors......................... Contributory Negligence .................................................................................................... Contributory Negligence Verdict Sheet............................................................................. Negligent Conduct Causing Emotional Distress .............................................................. Verdict Directing Summary ...............................................................................................

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CHAPTER IV—Agency 4.00A 4.00B 4.00C 4.00D 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.05A 4.05B 4.05C

Agency—Definitions ........................................................................................................... Agency—Definitions—Scope of Authority and Ratification............................................. Vicarious Liability Based Upon Apparent Agency, Ostensible Agency, or Agency by Estoppel ........................................................................................................ Corporation—Employees (Agency/Authority Disputed; Ratification) ............................. Vicarious Liability (Employer and Employee Sued—Relationship Disputed) ................ Vicarious Liability (Employer and Employee Sued—Relationship and Authority Not in Dispute) .................................................................................................. Vicarious Liability (Employer Alone Sued—Relationship in Dispute)............................ Vicarious Liability (Employer Alone Sued—Relationship Not in Dispute)..................... Scope of Employment (Generally and Where Passenger Is Plaintiff) ............................. Scope of Employment (Where Employee Is Using His or Her Own Vehicle) .................. Employer Liability for Employee Engaged in Criminal or Intentional Conduct—Scope of Employment........................................................................................ Employer Liability for Negligent Hiring or Retention of Employee Engaged in Conduct Outside the Scope of Employment (While on Employer Premises or Using Chattel of Employer).........................................

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February 2009

Pennsylvania Suggested Standard Civil Jury Instructions

Revised

4.05D 4.06A 4.06B 4.07A 4.07B 4.08A 4.08B 4.10 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23

Employer Liability for Negligent Hiring or Supervision/Retention of Employee ................................................................................... Employer—Independent Contractor (Relationship in Dispute and Evidence Conflicting)..................................................................................... Employer—Independent Contractor—Where Employer Retains Control over Part of Work..................................................................................... Employer—Independent Contractor (Employing Incompetent or Unfit Contractor) ............................................................................................................ Employer—Independent Contractor—Independent Liability of Employer for Negligent Orders or Direction ..................................................................... Employer—Independent Contractor—Vicarious Liability (Work Likely to Create a Peculiar Risk of Harm) .................................................................................... Employer—Independent Contractor—Independent Liability of Employer (Work Creates Peculiar Risk of Harm) ............................................................. Imputation of Driver’s Negligence to Owner/Passenger................................................... Master and Servant—Borrowed/Loaned Servant (Liability of Both Masters) ................ Breach of Fiduciary Duty—Elements of the Cause of Action........................................... Breach of Fiduciary Duty—Standard of Care ................................................................... Breach of Fiduciary Duty—Factual Cause ........................................................................ Breach of Fiduciary Duty—Damages ................................................................................ Indemnity between Principal and Agent ........................................................................... Indemnity between Agent and Principal—Principal Negligent ....................................... Indemnity under Contract.................................................................................................. Indemnity between Principal and Agent Where Payment Is as a Result of Settlement with Plaintiff ............................................................................

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CHAPTER V—Evidence 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.20 5.25 5.30 5.31 5.32 5.33 5.40 5.41 5.50 5.50A 5.61 5.63 5.64

Number of Witnesses .......................................................................................................... Conflicting Testimony......................................................................................................... Willfully False Testimony................................................................................................... Failure to Produce Evidence............................................................................................... Direct and Circumstantial Evidence.................................................................................. Circumstantial Proof of Negligence—Restatement (Second) of Torts § 328D (Res Ipsa Loquitur)................................................................................................. Impeachment—Proof of Conviction of Crime .................................................................... Lay Opinion Testimony ...................................................................................................... Expert[s] Testimony—Credibility Generally..................................................................... Expert Opinion—Basis for Opinion Generally .................................................................. Hypothetical Questions....................................................................................................... Weighing Conflicting Expert Testimony............................................................................ Cautionary Charge: Jury Not to Assume Judge Has Expressed an Opinion on the Evidence................................................................................................ Cautionary Charge to Accompany Judge’s Comment on Credibility or Liability ........... Burden of Proof ................................................................................................................... Burden of Proof: Clear and Convincing Evidence ............................................................. Presumption of Due Care Abolished .................................................................................. Presumption of Receipt of Mail .......................................................................................... Presumption of Payment: Presumption of Periodic Payment ..........................................

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Table of Contents

Revised

5.65 5.67 5.70 5.71 5.72

Presumption of Ownership and Agency from Business Name Displayed on Vehicle ............................................................................................... Presumption of Driving a Vehicle with Permission of Owner ......................................... Documentary Evidence in Cases Following Appeal from Compulsory Arbitration (Waiver of Testimony at Trial).................................................. Expert Witness Reports ..................................................................................................... Computer-Generated Evidence—Computer-Generated Animation (CGA).....................

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CHAPTER VI—Damages 6.00 6.01 6.01A 6.01B 6.01D 6.02 6.02A 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 6.21

Damages.............................................................................................................................. Lump Sum Damages .......................................................................................................... Medical Expenses ............................................................................................................... Future Medical Expenses................................................................................................... Future Loss of Earnings and Lost Earning Capacity....................................................... Damages in Cases of Undisputed Negligence and Injury ................................................ Damages in Cases of Disputed Negligence and Disputed Extent of Injury [To Be Used Only When Negligence Is Contested] .......................................................... Preexisting Condition or Injury ......................................................................................... Apportionment of Damages (Two or More Defendants)—Distinct Damages.................. Other Contributing Causes ................................................................................................ Mitigation of Damages ....................................................................................................... Past Lost Earnings and Lost Earnings Capacity.............................................................. Future Loss of Earnings and Lost Earning Capacity Where Loss of Future Productivity Is Proven............................................................................... Past and Future—Noneconomic Loss................................................................................ Loss of Consortium ............................................................................................................. Property Damage................................................................................................................ Incidental Costs .................................................................................................................. Auto Negligence: Medical Expenses .................................................................................. Auto Negligence: Economic Losses .................................................................................... Auto Negligence: Serious Impairment .............................................................................. Auto Negligence: Future Noneconomic Loss Damages For Noncontinuing Serious Impairment Threshold Injury..................................................... Mental or Emotional Injury ............................................................................................... Damages in Wrongful Death and Survival Actions.......................................................... Damages—Present Worth.................................................................................................. Damages—Life Expectancy................................................................................................ Appendix .............................................................................................................................

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Volume II

CHAPTER VII—Owner/Occupier of Land 7.00

[Owner] [Occupier] of Land (Duty of Care—Generally) ...................................................

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Pennsylvania Suggested Standard Civil Jury Instructions

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7.01A 7.01B 7.01C 7.02A 7.02B 7.02C 7.02D 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13

[Owner] [Occupier] of Land (Invitee, Public Invitee, and Business Visitor Defined) ................................................................................................... [Owner] [Occupier] of Land (Licensee Defined) ................................................................ [Owner] [Occupier] of Land (Trespasser Defined)............................................................. [Owner] [Occupier] of Land (Duty of Care Owed to Invitees Generally) ......................... [Owner] [Occupier] of Land (Duty of Care Owed to Licensees Generally) ...................... [Owner] [Occupier] of Land (Duty of Care to Trespasser Generally—Status in Dispute) ........................................................................................... [Owner] [Occupier] of Land (Duty of Care to Trespasser Generally—No Dispute over Status).................................................................................. [Owner’s] [Occupier’s] Duty of Care (Defect or Unsafe Condition in Abutting Public Sidewalk).................................................................................................. [Owner’s] [Occupier’s] Duty of Care (Ice or Snow on Abutting Public Sidewalk or Walking Surface)................................................................. [Owner] [Occupier] of Land (Duty of Care to Trespassing Children Where Dangerous Conditions Exist on the Property) ....................................... [Owner] [Occupier] of Land (Duty of Care to Adjoining Land Owner, and Others Outside of the Property) .................................................................... Negligence—Failure to Prevent Intentional Harm to Business Invitees ........................ Negligence—Landlord’s Failure to Prevent Intentional Harm to Tenants ..................... Negligence—Duty to Warn Independent Contractors ......................................................

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CHAPTER VIII—Products Liability 8.00A 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.03A 8.03B 8.03C 8.04A 8.04B 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10

Harm to Persons Resulting from Reliance on Seller’s Misrepresentation of a Material Fact—Restatement (Second) of Torts § 402B .............. General Rule of Strict Liability .......................................................................................... Definition of Design “Defect” .............................................................................................. Duty to Warn....................................................................................................................... Duty to Warn—“Heeding Presumption,” for Seller/Defendant ........................................ Duty to Warn—“Heeding Presumption,” for User-Consumer/Plaintiff ........................... Duty to Warn—Causation, When “Heeding Presumption” for Plaintiff is Rebutted ...... Factual Cause—Products Liability .................................................................................... Factual Cause—Products Liability (Multiple Defendants) .............................................. Strict Liability upon Proof of Malfunction......................................................................... Strict Liability Responsibility Nondelegable..................................................................... Defense of Occasional Seller............................................................................................... Substantial Change............................................................................................................. Defense of Assumption of Risk ........................................................................................... Liability for Harm to Bystanders .......................................................................................

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CHAPTER IX—Warranty 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05

General Instruction on Warranty ...................................................................................... Creation of an Express Warranty ...................................................................................... Creation of Implied Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose.................................. Creation of Implied Warranty of Merchantability ............................................................ Exclusion or Modification of Express Warranties ............................................................. No Instruction on Consequential Damages Required.......................................................

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Revised

9.07 9.08 9.09

Exclusion of Implied Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose ............................... Exclusion of Implied Warranties ....................................................................................... Requirement of Notification of Breach ..............................................................................

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CHAPTER X—Non-medical Professional Negligence 10.00 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09

[insert profession] Negligence—Introduction .................................................................... Attorney Malpractice—Elements of the Cause of Action ................................................. Attorney Malpractice—Duty/Employment ....................................................................... Attorney Malpractice—Standard of Care.......................................................................... Attorney Malpractice—Factual Cause .............................................................................. Attorney Malpractice—Burden of Proof ............................................................................ Trial Attorney Malpractice—Measure of Damages .......................................................... Attorney Malpractice—Noncollectibility of Underlying Case .......................................... Professional Negligence by the Plaintiff’s Former Criminal Defense Attorney—Elements of the Cause of Action......................................................................

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CHAPTER XI—Medical Professional Negligence 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08A 11.08B 11.08C 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.11A 11.11B 11.12 11.13

Medical Professional Negligence—Introduction ............................................................... Medical Malpractice—Standard of Care ........................................................................... Medical Malpractice—Factual Cause................................................................................ Medical Malpractice—Burden of Proof ............................................................................. Differing Schools of Thought Doctrine .............................................................................. Respondeat Superior—Physicians..................................................................................... Corporate Liability of Health-care Provider ..................................................................... Hospital Liability for Independent Contractor ................................................................. Informed Consent—Nondisclosure .................................................................................... Informed Consent—Misrepresentation of Physician’s Professional Credentials, Training, or Experience ........................................................... Informed Consent—Damages ............................................................................................ Irrelevant Considerations .................................................................................................. Comparative Negligence in Medical Malpractice Cases .................................................. Damages—Generally.......................................................................................................... Medical Malpractice—Damages (Under the MCARE Act, Effective for All Claims Arising Subsequent to March 20, 2002) .................................... Medical Malpractice—Suggested Special Jury Interrogatories (Under the MCARE Act Effective for All Claims Arising Subsequent to March 20, 2002) ......................................................................................... Medical Malpractice—Punitive Damages (Under the MCARE Act, Effective for All Claims Arising Subsequent to March 20, 2002) .................................... General Instructions to Jury on Concluding the Verdict .................................................

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February 2009

Pennsylvania Suggested Standard Civil Jury Instructions

Revised

CHAPTER XII—Reserved CHAPTER XIII—Intentional Torts* 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05A 13.05B 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11

13.12 13.13 13.14 13.15 13.16 13.17 13.18 13.19 13.20 13.21 13.22 13.23 13.24 13.25 13.26 13.27 13.28 13.29 13.30 13.31

*

Defenses to Intentional Torts ............................................................................................. Assault ................................................................................................................................. Battery ................................................................................................................................. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress...................................................................... False Imprisonment ............................................................................................................ Malicious Prosecution ......................................................................................................... Wrongful Use of Civil Proceedings..................................................................................... Abuse of Process .................................................................................................................. Damages: Malicious Prosecution, Wrongful Use of Civil Proceedings, Abuse of Process, False Imprisonment ........................................................ Defamation—Defamatory Meaning ................................................................................... Defamation—Publication.................................................................................................... Defamation—Identification of the Plaintiff....................................................................... Defamation—Proof of Falsity Where the Plaintiff Is a Private Individual and the Defamatory Communication Does Not Involve a Matter of Public Concern [and] [or] the Defendant Is Not a Member of the Media ......................................................................... Defamation—Proof of Falsity Where the Plaintiff Is a Public Figure or Public Official, or the Defamatory Statement Involves a Matter of Public Concern and the Defendant Is a Member of the Media ..................... Defamation—Assertion of Fact (Where the Defendant Claims the Communication Was Purely an Expression of Opinion) ............................................ Defamation—Proof of Fault Where the Plaintiff Is a Private Person.............................. Defamation—Proof of Fault Where the Plaintiff Is a Public Official or Public Figure... Damages—Defamation ....................................................................................................... Defamation—Actual Injury (Required Where the Plaintiff Is a Private Individual Claiming Compensatory Damages) .................................................... Defamation: Defense of Privilege ....................................................................................... Injurious Falsehood (Disparagement) ............................................................................... Invasion of Privacy.............................................................................................................. Damages—Invasion of Privacy........................................................................................... Fraud ................................................................................................................................... Damages—Fraud ................................................................................................................ Fraudulent Misrepresentation or Nondisclosure .............................................................. Damages—Fraudulent Misrepresentation or Nondisclosure ........................................... Intentional Interference with Contractual Relations ....................................................... Damages—Intentional Interference with Contractual Relations .................................... First-Party Insurance Bad Faith—Definition ................................................................... First-Party Bad Faith—Recklessness................................................................................ First-Party Bad Faith—Counsel as Agent of Insurance Company .................................. Third-Party Bad Faith ........................................................................................................

The defamation instructions have been substantially renumbered and revised from previous editions. 02/09

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Table of Contents

Revised

CHAPTER XIV—Punitive Damages 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03

Punitive Damages—General Instructions ........................................................................ Punitive Damages Against a Principal ............................................................................. Punitive Damages—Amount of Award.............................................................................. Punitive Damages under the Survival Act........................................................................

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CHAPTER XV—Contracts 15.00 15.01 15.02 15.03 15.04 15.05 15.06 15.07 15.08 15.09 15.10 15.11 15.12 15.13 15.14 15.15 15.16 15.17 15.18 15.19 15.20 15.21 15.22 15.23 15.24 15.25 15.26 15.27 15.28 15.29 15.30 15.31 15.32 15.33 15.34

Elements of Contract Action .............................................................................................. Interpretation—Prior Knowledge/Prior Course of Conduct, Dealings, or Trade Usage ................................................................................................... Oral Contracts—Validity Generally .................................................................................. Oral Contracts/Statute of Frauds Used as a Defense....................................................... Statute of Frauds—Doctrine of Part Performance ........................................................... Modification or Waiver ....................................................................................................... Breach of Contract—Generally.......................................................................................... Breach of Contract—Mutual and Dependent Agreement ................................................ Performance Prevented ...................................................................................................... Liability Not Dependent upon Fraud ................................................................................ Anticipatory Breach............................................................................................................ Effect of Breach—Bilateral Material Breach .................................................................... Effect of Breach—Materially ............................................................................................. Effect of Breach—Time of the Essence.............................................................................. Waiver of Breach—Generally ............................................................................................ Payment after Breach Not a Waiver ................................................................................. Workmanship...................................................................................................................... Reasonable Time, for Non–Uniform Commercial Code Contract .................................... Reasonable Time, for Uniform Commercial Code Contract ............................................. Waiver of Strict Performance............................................................................................. Assignment of Specific Breach Waives Others ................................................................. Severability of Contract ..................................................................................................... Burden of Proof on Party Bringing Action—Generally .................................................... Capacity to Contract........................................................................................................... Burden of Proof—Extenuating Circumstances/Impossibility .......................................... Burden of Proof—Work to be Performed to Satisfaction of Owner.................................. Damages—Generally.......................................................................................................... Damages—Expectation Interest—Lost Benefit of the Bargain ....................................... Rescission—Mutual Assent to Rescind ............................................................................. Rescission—Unilateral Rescission..................................................................................... Damages—Restitution after Rescission ............................................................................ Mitigation............................................................................................................................ Unilateral Mistake ............................................................................................................. Substantial Performance.................................................................................................... Fraud/Negligent Misrepresentation ..................................................................................

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February 2009

Pennsylvania Suggested Standard Civil Jury Instructions

Revised

CHAPTER XVI—Employment* 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 16.10 16.11 16.12 16.13 16.14 16.15 16.16 16.17 16.18

Employment ........................................................................................................................ Exception to Employment at Will—Employment Agreement .......................................... Employee Handbook/Manual/Policies................................................................................ Exception to At-Will Employment—Implied Term of Employment................................. Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing......................................................................... Constructive Discharge....................................................................................................... Violation of Law—Employment Discrimination/Retaliation (McDonnell Douglas Criteria) ............................................................................................ Violation of Law—Jury Duty.............................................................................................. Violation of Law—Polygraphs ............................................................................................ Violation of Law—Firefighters........................................................................................... Violation of Law—Military Service.................................................................................... Violation of Law—Workers’ Compensation Claim ............................................................ Violation of Law—Unemployment Compensation Claim ................................................. Violation of Law—Refusing to Commit Unlawful Act ...................................................... Violation of Law—Requirements for Reporting Employer’s Illegal Conduct .................. Violation of Law—Employee Discharged in Violation of the Whistleblower Law .......... Wrongful Refusal to Hire.................................................................................................... Employment—Wrongful Discharge—Damages ................................................................ Employment—Wrongful Discharge—Damages—Mitigation ...........................................

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CHAPTER XVII—Eminent Domain 17.00 17.01 17.02 17.03 17.04 17.05 17.06 17.07 17.08 17.09 17.10 17.11 17.12 17.13 17.14 17.15 17.16

*

Introduction to Eminent Domain Jury Instructions ......................................................... General Instructions—Definitions ..................................................................................... General Instruction on Eminent Domain .......................................................................... Constitutional/Statutory Provisions on Obligation to Pay Just Compensation .............. Just Compensation.............................................................................................................. The “Unit Rule” ................................................................................................................... Fair Market Value .............................................................................................................. Effect of Imminence of Condemnation ............................................................................... Contiguous Tracts; Unity of Use ........................................................................................ Effect of Condemnation Use on After Value...................................................................... Removal of Machinery, Equipment, or Fixtures ............................................................... Assembled Economic Unit Doctrine—General Description.............................................. Assembled Economic Unit Doctrine—Application ............................................................ Other Statutory Damages .................................................................................................. Delay Damages.................................................................................................................... Jury View............................................................................................................................. Condemnee as Witness ....................................................................................................... Expert Valuation.................................................................................................................

The employment instructions have been substantially revised from previous editions. 02/09.

February 2009

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01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03 01/03

Table of Contents

Revised

CHAPTER XVIII—Miscellaneous Instructions 18.00 18.01

Future Cause of Action....................................................................................................... Statute of Limitations—Discovery Rule............................................................................

01/03 10/05

CHAPTER XIX—Reserved CHAPTER XX—Concluding Instructions 20.00 20.01 20.02 20.10

Concluding Instructions Generally.................................................................................... Concluding Instruction on Note-taking............................................................................. Concluding Instruction on Documentary Evidence in Cases Following Appeal from Compulsory Arbitration (Waiver of Testimony at Trial) ............................ Post-deliberation Communication with Jurors (Contacted by Counsel) .........................

10/05 10/05 10/05 10/05

INDEX

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February 2009