Judge: Linda S. Marks, Case: 2019-01046203, Date: 2022-12-12 Tentative Ruling

Motion for Bifurcation filed by Orange County Fire Authority, David Anderson, and Jeff Logan on 10/6/22

Defendants Orange County Fire Authority, David Anderson, and Jeff Logan filed a Motion to Bifurcate Punitive Damages.

“As an evidentiary restriction, section 3295(d) requires a court, upon application of any defendant, to bifurcate a trial so that the trier of fact is not presented with evidence of the defendant’s wealth and profits until after the issues of liability, compensatory damages, and malice, oppression, or fraud have been resolved against the defendant.” (Torres v. Automobile Club of So. California (1997) 15 Cal.4th 771, 777–778, as modified on denial of reh’g (July 16, 1997).) “Bifurcation minimizes potential prejudice by preventing jurors from learning of a defendant’s ‘deep pockets’ before they determine these threshold issues.” (Ibid.)

Tentative Ruling: The unopposed Motion to Bifurcate Punitive Damages is GRANTED pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 598 and 1048 as well as Civil Code section 3295.

Moving parties to give notice.