In a jury trial jury instructions are given to the jury at the end of the case. These instructions are prepared by the attorneys of both parties and presented to the judge for approval. The instructions tell the jurors what the law is and how to apply the law to the facts that have been proven.
Arkansas Instruction to Jury — Essential Factual Elements Necessary to Hold an Instructor, Trainer, or Coach Liable for an Injury to a Participant in a Sports Activity aims to provide guidance to the jury in determining whether an instructor, trainer, or coach can be held accountable for any injuries suffered by a participant during a sports activity. This instruction outlines the essential elements that must be proven to establish liability in such cases. The key elements necessary to hold an instructor, trainer, or coach liable for an injury to a participant in a sports activity in Arkansas may include: 1. Duty of Care: The plaintiff must demonstrate that the instructor, trainer, or coach owed a duty of care to the participant. This duty typically arises from the existence of a professional or contractual relationship between the two parties. 2. Breach of Duty: The plaintiff must prove that the instructor, trainer, or coach breached their duty of care towards the participant. This breach could involve negligence, recklessness, or any other act or omission that falls below the accepted standard of care in the sports activity. 3. Knowledge and Awareness: The plaintiff must establish that the instructor, trainer, or coach had actual or constructive knowledge of the risks involved in the sports activity and failed to take reasonable steps to mitigate or minimize those risks. This may include inadequate supervision, insufficient training or instructions, or failure to provide necessary safety equipment. 4. Proximate Cause: The plaintiff must demonstrate that the instructor, trainer, or coach's breach of duty was the proximate cause of the participant's injury. This means that the injury would not have occurred but for the defendant's actions or omissions. 5. Injury and Damages: The plaintiff must provide evidence of the participant's injury and resulting damages. This could include medical records, expert opinions, and testimony regarding the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of the injury. It is important to note that different types of sports activities may have specific requirements or elements that need to be proven to hold an instructor, trainer, or coach liable for an injury. Some examples include: — Contact sports: In cases involving contact sports like football or boxing, the jury may consider factors such as the nature of the sport, the participant's level of skill and experience, and whether the injury resulted from conduct outside the scope of the normal rules and regulations of the sport. — Individual sports: For individual sports like swimming or gymnastics, the jury may assess the adequacy of the instructor, trainer, or coach's instructions, warnings, and protective measures specific to the sport. — Team sports: In team sports such as soccer or basketball, the jury may evaluate the instructor, trainer, or coach's supervision, training methods, and their response to foreseeable risks or dangerous behaviors among the participants. In conclusion, the Arkansas Instruction to Jury — Essential Factual Elements Necessary to Hold an Instructor, Trainer, or Coach Liable for an Injury to a Participant in a Sports Activity provides guidance to ensure a fair and just evaluation of liability. The specific elements may vary depending on the type of sports activity involved.
