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.
Guam 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 When participating in sports activities, it is crucial for instructors, trainers, and coaches to prioritize the safety and well-being of their participants. However, in some cases, injuries may occur due to the negligence or misconduct of these individuals. In Guam, there are specific essential factual elements that must be established to hold an instructor, trainer, or coach liable for an injury to a participant in a sports activity. Here, we will explore these elements to help the jury understand their importance and relevance to the case. 1. Duty of care: The first essential element to establish liability is proving that the instructor, trainer, or coach owed a duty of care to the participant. This duty entails taking reasonable steps to ensure the participant's safety during the sports activity. It is important to emphasize that this duty is owed both during the instruction/training sessions and during the actual sporting event. 2. Standard of care: Once the duty of care is established, the next element is to demonstrate that the instructor, trainer, or coach breached the standard of care. This means that they failed to meet the level of skill, expertise, and caution that a reasonably competent professional in their position would have exercised in similar circumstances. The standard of care is often determined based on industry standards, recognized guidelines, and the specific nature of the sports activity involved. 3. Causation: The jury must find a direct link between the instructor, trainer, or coach's breach of the standard of care and the resulting injury to the participant. In other words, it must be proven that the negligence or misconduct of the professional directly caused or significantly contributed to the participant's injury. The causation element helps establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the actions of the professional and the harm suffered by the participant. 4. Foreseeability: Another crucial element is showing that the injury suffered by the participant was foreseeable to the instructor, trainer, or coach. This means that a reasonable person in their position could have anticipated the potential risks involved in the sports activity and taken steps to prevent or minimize them. Foreseeability helps establish that the professional had knowledge or should have had knowledge of the potential dangers and should have acted accordingly. 5. Proximate cause: Proving proximate cause requires demonstrating that the injury suffered by the participant was a direct, natural, and foreseeable consequence of the instructor, trainer, or coach's negligent actions. This element helps determine whether the professional's breach of the standard of care was the primary cause of the injury, without any intervening factors that broke the chain of causation. Different types of Guam 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 may include specific considerations for particular sports. For example, if the injury occurs during a contact sport like football, the jury may be instructed to consider the accepted rules and regulations of the game, the level of physical aggression inherent in the sport, and any applicable safety guidelines or protocols. In cases involving individual sports like gymnastics or swimming, the jury may receive instructions related to proper supervision, suitable equipment, appropriate training techniques, and adherence to accepted standards for preventing injuries commonly associated with those activities. By understanding these essential factual elements, the jury can make an informed decision regarding the liability of an instructor, trainer, or coach for an injury sustained by a participant during a sports activity in Guam.
