Question: What are punitive damages? Answer: They are damages awarded by the jury against a defendant in a civil case to punish their conduct and deter others from acting in the similar fashion. Only ...
Is the lack of a driver’s license or a motorcycle endorsement admissible evidence that that person was somehow negligent in causing a collision?
Question: Is the lack of a driver’s license or a motorcycle endorsement admissible evidence that that person was somehow negligent in causing a collision?Answer: No. There must also be some evid...
In a civil case, who should bear the risk of any uncertainty as to the amount of damages if the facts demonstrate that damages were established?
Question: In a civil case, who should bear the risk of any uncertainty as to the amount of damages if the facts demonstrate that damages were established?Answer: Defendants bear the risk of any uncert...
Why do you need uninsured & underinsured motor vehicle coverage?
Question: Why do you need uninsured & underinsured motor vehicle coverage?Answer: To protect yourself from negligent motorist who are not adequately insured to pay for the injuries and damages the...
How are “mortality tables” used in personal injury cases?
Question: How are “mortality tables” used in personal injury cases? Answer: Mortality tables are used in the trial court’s final instructions to the jury which allows the jury to conside...
What is “venue” in a civil case?
Question: What is “venue” in a civil case? Answer: The location of the court where the case will be hear. Any case may be venued, commenced and decided in any court in any county, except, ...
Can an attorney strike a prospective juror based solely on their race, ethnicity, or gender?
Further, a number of courts require that the party opposing a peremptory strike of a juror on the basis of similar non-struck jurors must make an explicit side-by-side juror comparison to the trial co...
When should a civil trial judge grant a mistrial?
Question: When should a civil trial judge grant a mistrial?Answer: Only when less severe remedies will not satisfactorily correct an error. A mistrial is an extreme remedy that is warranted only when ...
Are there people in our society that are not required to testify?
Question: Are there people in our society that are not required to testify as to communications with another person? Answer: Yes, but they are limited and may be waived by certain conduct. Under India...
Are photos of injuries always admissible in civil cases?
Question: Are photos of injuries always admissible in civil cases?Answer: Usually yes, but a trial court judge may rule that a photo is inadmissible when it is found to be irrelevant, immaterial and/o...