Tort Law

This page within Virginia Tort Case Law is a compilation of cases reported by the Virginia Supreme Court and summarized by Brien Roche dealing with the topic of Instructions Miscellaneous and the related topic of personal injury. For more information on jury instructions see the pages on Wikipedia.

Instructions Miscellaneous-Cases

2010 Hawthorne v. VanMarter, 279 Va. 566, 692 S.E.2d 226.
Whether jury instruction accurately states the relevant law is a question of law and is reviewed de novo.

1969 Witt v. Merricks, 210 Va. 70, 168 S.E.2d 517.

When jury returned to courtroom with question after deliberating, it was proper for court to re-read relevant portions of instruction.

1969 Hagan v. Hicks, 209 Va. 499, 165 S.E.2d 421.

Twelve instructions were granted for plaintiff, eleven for defendants; twenty-three instructions were more than were needed and in their number more apt to confuse than to enlighten.

1963 Mills v. Wells, 204 Va. 173, 129 S.E.2d 705.

Jury returned with question relating to differing recollections of witnesses’ testimony. Court instructed them that they should try to resolve conflict but none of them were required to surrender their own conscience.

1955 Greear v. Noland Co., 197 Va. 233, 89 S.E.2d 49.

Multiple instructions held to be improper.

1949 Kinser v. Haga, 189 Va. 963, 54 S.E.2d 886.

General instruction was held to be cured by more specific instructions that dealt with issue.

1948 Tri-State Coach Corp. v. Walsh, 188 Va. 299, 49 S.E.2d 363.

Error not amounting to positive misstatement of law may be cured by clear and correct statement upon same subject in another instruction.

1943 Norfolk S. Ry. v. Wood, 182 Va. 30, 28 S.E.2d 15.

Instructions miscellaneous.Failure to give instruction telling jury not to be influenced by sympathy is not reversible error.