Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_04-cv-05107/USCOURTS-cand-3_04-cv-05107-8/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 442
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights Employment
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question: Employment Discrimination

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KIRAN PANDE,

Plaintiff,

v.

CHEVRON CORPORATION (f/k/a

CHEVRONTEXACO CORPORATION), a

Delaware corporation, and CHEVRON

INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION AND

PRODUCTION (f/k/a CHERVONTEACO

OVERSEAS PETROLEUM COMPANY), a

division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc.,

Defendants.

 /

No. C 04-5107 CW

ORDER DENYING

DEFENDANTS'

MOTION FOR

BIFURCATION

Defendants Chevron Corporation (f/k/a ChevronTexaco

Corporation) and Chevron International Exploration & Production

(f/k/a ChevronTexaco Overseas Petroleum Company) (collectively

Defendants) move to bifurcate punitive damages from the liability

phase of the trial. Specifically, they request that the Court

issue an order prohibiting counsel from commenting on or presenting

evidence or testimony relating to Plaintiff's claim for punitive

damages, including any reference to Defendants' financial worth,

Case 3:04-cv-05107-JCS Document 86 Filed 03/26/07 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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until a jury finds in Plaintiff's favor, awards actual damages and

determines that Defendants are guilty of malice, oppression or

fraud.

This request is denied. Plaintiff will present her case to

the jury without making any reference to Defendants' profits or

financial condition or to punitive damages. After Plaintiff has

rested, and out of the jury's presence, Defendants may move for

judgment as a matter of law that Plaintiff has not provided

evidence sufficient to show that punitive damages are warranted. 

If the Court denies Defendants' motion, then Plaintiff may present

evidence, preferably by stipulated admission of a document

containing Defendants' financial worth that will be presented to

the jury at the close of the trial.

Defendants' motion to bifurcate punitive damages from any

liability phase of the trial (Docket No. 71) is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 3/26/07 

CLAUDIA WILKEN

United States District Judge

Case 3:04-cv-05107-JCS Document 86 Filed 03/26/07 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Copy mailed to:

Susan Harriman

Keker & Van Nest

710 Sansome Street

San Francisco, Ca 94111

Case 3:04-cv-05107-JCS Document 86 Filed 03/26/07 Page 3 of 3