RS 38:381: Special verdicts

With the consent of all parties, the court may require a jury to return only a special verdict in the form of a special written finding upon each issue of fact. In that event, the court may submit to the jury written questions susceptible of categorical or other brief answer or may submit written forms of the several findings which might properly be made under the pleadings and evidence or may use any other appropriate method of submitting the issues and requiring the written findings thereon. The court shall give to the jury such explanation and instruction concerning the matter submitted as may be necessary to enable the jury to make its findings upon each issue. If the court omits any issue of fact raised by the pleadings or by the evidence, each party waives his right to trial by jury of the issue omitted, unless before the jury retires he demands its submission to the jury. As to an issue omitted without such demand, the court may make a finding, or if it fails to do so, it shall be presumed to have made a finding in accordance with the judgment on the special verdict.