The defendant Hamilton brought a motion to sever the issue of his liability from the damages assessment in a $20 million personal injury action arising from a boating accident.
The court found that the liability issue was straightforward and distinct from the complex damages assessment, which would require extensive medical evidence.
Applying the factors for bifurcation, the court concluded that severing liability would promote the just, most expeditious, and least expensive determination of the claim.
The motion was granted and the action was assigned to case management.
