Separating Compensatory and Punitive Damage Award Decisions by Trial Bifurcation |
| |
Authors: | Christine M Shea Adams Martin J Bourgeois |
| |
Institution: | University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA. csheaada@uwyo.edu |
| |
Abstract: | In a simulated products liability trial, we tested the effects of bifurcating decisions regarding compensatory and punitive damage awards. Fifty-nine groups of 5-7 jurors heard evidence in a unitary or bifurcated format, deliberated about the case to a unanimous decision, and awarded damages. Trial bifurcation decreased variability in compensatory damage awards across juries hearing the same case, and also decreased the tendency for juries to award extremely high compensatory damages. In addition, deliberation led to lower compensatory awards in the low injury severity condition and higher awards in the high injury severity condition. Jurors reported that they were using evidence more appropriately when the decisions were bifurcated. Implications of evidence bifurcation in civil trials are discussed. |
| |
Keywords: | :" target="_blank">: civil trial bifurcation damage awards |
本文献已被 PubMed SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|