8.01-379.3 - General verdict accompanied by answer to interrogatories.
§ 8.01-379.3. General verdict accompanied by answer to interrogatories.
Except in actions for negligence resulting in injury to person or death bywrongful act, in civil actions when the court determines that the complexityof the issues warrant, the court may submit to the jury, together withappropriate forms for a general verdict, written interrogatories upon one ormore issues of fact the decision of which is necessary to a verdict. Inactions for negligence resulting in injury to person or death by wrongfulact, the court shall submit to the jury a general verdict form only, providedthat the court may submit interrogatories to the jury if otherwisespecifically authorized by law, if under substantive law governing the casecomparative negligence applies, or if all parties to the action agree thatinterrogatories may be submitted to the jury. The court shall give suchexplanation or instruction as may be necessary to enable the jury both tomake answers to the interrogatories and to render a general verdict, and thecourt shall direct the jury both to make written answers and to render ageneral verdict. When the general verdict and the answers are consistent, theappropriate judgment upon the verdict and answers shall be entered by thecourt. When the answers are consistent with each other but one or more isinconsistent with the general verdict, or when the answers are inconsistentwith each other and one or more is likewise inconsistent with the generalverdict, judgment shall not be entered and the court shall either order thejury to further consider its answers and verdict or order a new trial.
(2005, c. 499.)