On February 15, 2012, the Ohio Supreme Court issued its decision in Havel v. Villa St. Joseph, 2012-Ohio-552. In Havel, the Court ruled in favor of tort reform legislation, Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.21(B), which mandates bifurcation at trial of punitive damage claims upon the request of any party. In so doing, the Ohio Supreme Court determined that the legislative enactment was a “substantive” law that was controlling over the “procedural” provisions of Ohio Civil Rule 42(B) which provided trial courts with discretion to grant or deny bifurcation requests. As a result of the Court’s ruling, trial courts are now mandated to bifurcate punitive damage claims at trial in accordance with Revised Code Section 2315.21(B). Upon bifurcation, evidence regarding punitive damages, such as financial net worth, cannot be considered in the liability phase of the trial.
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Every battle is won or lost before it is ever fought. We know what it takes to prevail at trial. Our reputation has been built on one of the highest win ratios in the industry. We will not settle your case on the courthouse steps. You expect your attorneys to aggressively defend your interests not only through discovery but also through the closing stage of the case – trial.
Ohio Supreme Court Issues Decision on Punitive Damages
Recently, Mindi Schaefer and Elise Huang of Poling | Petrello Columbus participated on the Paralegal of Central Ohio’s bowling team for Rock ‘n Bowl 2012. This year each team raised funds to support child abuse treatment and prevention programs at The Center for Family Safety and Healing.
To see photographs from the event, click here.
Capital University Law School Paralegal Program graduate, Elise Huang, has joined the Poling | Petrello team as a paralegal in the Columbus office. Ms. Huang previously completed an externship with our firm, through PACO’s Mentoring Program. Given her professionalism and exemplary work, we were excited by Elise’s acceptance of our invitation and pleased that we were able to successfully offer, to Elise, her very first Paralegal position.