What is a bifurcated trial in an insurance litigation case?

A bifurcated trial is a type of trial in an insurance litigation case that occurs in separate stages. During the first stage, or the bifurcation process, the judge will decide the issue of liability. This means that the judge will decide if the insurance company or the plaintiff should be held responsible for losses. Once the judge has reached a decision, the second stage of the trial is devoted to deciding the amount of money that should be awarded for damages. In Washington, a bifurcated trial is preferred by insurance companies since it allows the judge to determine the liability without having to consider the damages at the same time. This helps to prevent insurance companies from being forced to pay out large damages without having to first hear all of the evidence. In addition, a bifurcated trial also allows the parties involved to focus more closely on each issue. Rather than having to argue over both liability and damages, the parties can focus on each issue separately which can help to make the litigation process more efficient and easier to understand. Overall, a bifurcated trial is a process that is often used in insurance litigation cases in Washington. By splitting the trial into two stages, the judge can determine liability separately from the damages, helping to make the process more efficient and fair for all involved.

Related FAQs

What is a bifurcated trial in an insurance litigation case?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts