Pinnacle Hip Implant Trial Plaintiffs Ask Court to Bifurcate Issue of Punitive Damages Determination in Upcoming Trial

DALLAS –– Plaintiffs in an upcoming DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant trial have asked the court to bifurcate the issue of the amount of punitive damages should jurors decide they’re warranted, contending that doing so would “promote convenience and judicial efficiency” by eliminating the need to present unnecessary evidence.

The Aug. 21 motion specifically asked the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas to split the trial into two phases: the first would address a determination of compensatory liability, compensatory damages, and punitive liability, while the second would allow jurors to make a determination of the amount of punitive …