Coyle et al v. Crown Enterprises, Inc., No. 1:2005cv00891 - Document 85 (W.D.N.Y. 2009)

Court Description: DECISION AND ORDER denying 74 Motion to Bifurcate. Signed by Hon. Leslie G. Foschio on 7/30/2009. (SDW)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK THOMAS H. COYLE, and LINDA SUE COYLE, c/o Mary Ann and Thomas Coyle, Plaintiffs, v. CROWN ENTERPRISES, INC., DECISION and ORDER 05-CV-891F Defendant. (consent) CROWN ENTERPRISES, INC., Third Party Plaintiff, v. CON-WAY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, INC., Third-Party Defendant. APPEARANCES: JOHN LLOYD EAGAN, JR., ESQ. Attorney for Plaintiffs 905 Convention Tower 43 Court Street Buffalo, New York 14202 ALTREUTER BERLIN Attorneys for Defendant and Third-Party Plaintiff WILLIAM C. ALTREUTER, of Counsel Market Arcade Complex 617 Main Street Buffalo, New York 14203 BROWN & KELLY, LLP Attorneys for Third-Party Defendant LISA T. SOFFERIN, of Counsel 1500 Liberty Building Buffalo, New York 14202 In this premises liability action, Third-Party Defendant Con-Way Transportation Services, Inc. ( Third-Party Defendant or Con-Way ) moves pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 42(b) ( Rule 42(b) ) to bifurcate the liability and damages phases of trial, asserting that because Plaintiffs intend to present voluminous evidence at trial concerning injuries allegedly sustained as a result of Defendant and Third-Party Defendant s negligence, a separate trial on liability will be significantly shorter, and less costly, than a trial on a trial on both liability and damages. (Doc. No. 74). Defendant opposes the motion, asserting bifurcation will not result in resolution of the matter nor in any meaningful judicial economy because six of the physicians Plaintiffs seek to have testify as experts at trial were untimely disclosed and will be the subject of a motion to preclude and much of the trial testimony will be on the question of liability. (Doc. No. 80). Plaintiffs, however, do not oppose the motion. (Doc. No. 79). Rule 42(b) gives the court discretion to order separate trials of, inter alia, issues, [f]or convenience, to avoid prejudice, or to expedite and economize . . . . See Leveraged Leasing Admin. Corp. v. PacifiCorp Capital, Inc., 87 F.3d 44, 49 (2d Cir. 1996) ( the district court has discretion to bifurcate the proceedings into liability and damages phases, to minimize any unnecessary discovery. ). Although bifurcation of trials is not unusual and may, under appropriate circumstances, be the preferred method, bifurcation remains the exception rather than the rule. Dallas v. Goldberg, 143 F.Supp.2d 312, 315 (S.D.N.Y. 2001) (citing cases). Factors to be considered in determining whether bifurcation is appropriate include: (1) whether the issues are significantly different from one another; (2) whether the issues are to be tried before a jury or to the court; (2) whether the posture of the discovery on the issues favors a single trial or bifurcation; (4) whether the 2 documentary and testimonial evidence on the issues overlap; and (5) whether the party opposing bifurcation will be prejudiced if it is granted. Dallas, 143 F.Supp.2d at 315 (citing cases). Furthermore, [t]he party seeking bifurcation bears the burden of establishing that bifurcation is warranted. Id. In the instant case, Con-Way has failed to meet its burden of establishing bifurcation is warranted. In particular, Con-Way does not dispute Defendant s description that the bulk of the anticipated testimony will be on the liability issue, including witnesses who will testify as to the physical conditions and operations of the subject premises. Affidavit of William C. Altreuter, Esq. in Opposition to Motion to Bifurcate (Doc. No. 80), ¶ 4. Should Defendant s proposed motion to preclude certain of Plaintiffs expert witnesses be granted, there will be even less evidence presented on the damages issue. It is also possible that with the significant amount of expert testimony proposed, some of the evidence could be precluded as cumulative. Moreover, Con-Way s concern that the presentation of substantial evidence regarding Plaintiffs injuries could somehow prejudice and confuse the jury can be obviated through a curative jury instruction. Bifurcation is thus unnecessary to avoid any undue prejudice to the parties. Third-Party Defendant s motion to bifurcate (Doc. No. 74) is DENIED. SO ORDERED. /s/ Leslie G. Foschio LESLIE G. FOSCHIO UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE DATED: July 30, 2009 Buffalo, New York 3

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