Rhode Island Jury Instruction — 1.2 Duty To Mitigate In General Pursuing Medical Care is a crucial legal concept that outlines the responsibilities of individuals involved in a personal injury case in Rhode Island. This jury instruction focuses specifically on the duty to mitigate damages related to pursuing medical care. When a person suffers an injury due to someone else's negligence, they have the legal right to seek compensation for their damages, including medical expenses. However, it is important for the injured person to mitigate their damages by seeking reasonable and necessary medical care. The duty to mitigate in general pursuing medical care encompasses several important aspects that may be included in different types of jury instructions. Some of these key elements include: 1. Reasonable and Necessary Care: The injured party must seek medical care that is both reasonable and necessary to treat their injuries. This means that they should not delay or refuse medical treatment that would typically be recommended in similar circumstances. 2. Seeking Appropriate Specialists: If the injured person's condition requires to be specialized medical attention, they have a duty to seek the care of relevant specialists. This includes consulting with doctors who have expertise in treating the specific kind of injury or condition suffered. 3. Follow Medical Advice: The injured person must follow the medical advice provided by their healthcare professionals. This includes attending all scheduled appointments, following prescribed treatments, and complying with any recommended physical therapy or rehabilitation. 4. Mitigating Avoidable Consequences: The duty to mitigate also extends to avoiding any actions or behaviors that could worsen their injuries or prolong the recovery process. This may involve refraining from engaging in activities that could aggravate the condition or jeopardize the healing process. By adhering to these general principles of mitigating damages through pursuing medical care, the injured person can demonstrate to the court that they have taken reasonable steps to minimize their losses. Failure to fulfill this duty may impact the overall compensation awarded in a personal injury case. It should be noted that different types of Rhode Island Jury Instructions related to the duty to mitigate in general pursuing medical care may exist, tailored to specific aspects of a case. Examples of potential subcategories could include instructions related to the duty to mitigate for pre-existing conditions, failure to follow medical advice, or seeking alternative treatments. The specific details and variations of these instructions may depend on the unique circumstances of each personal injury case in Rhode Island.