Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-04380/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-04380-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 340
Nature of Suit: Marine Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-(Citizenship)

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CLYDE KIRKWOOD,

Plaintiff,

 v.

REEDEREI F LAEISZ GMB LL ROSTOK,

Defendant. /

No. C-06-04380 EDL

Related to Case No. C-07-3857 EDL

PRETRIAL ORDER

The Court held a pretrial conference in the above captioned cases on February 12, 2008. In

accordance with the Court’s rulings at that conference, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

SETTLEMENT

The Court refers the matter back to the Honorable Wayne D. Brazil for a further settlement

conference if he has time.

MOTIONS IN LIMINE

For the reasons stated at the pretrial conference, Plaintiff’s Motion to Exclude Testimony and

Evidence is DENIED IN PART AND GRANTED IN PART. The statement of facts document

prepared by the master of the vessel is EXCLUDED. The Court will allow testimony of second

mate Delmundo as to the issue of whether Plaintiff was wearing a safety helmet on the day of the

accident, and will allow Plaintiff to call Johnie Thomas as a witness on the same issue.

Plaintiff’s Motion to Exclude Mention and Evidence of Collateral Sources is GRANTED and

Defendant’s Motion to Disqualify Hughlett from Providing Expert Testimony is DENIED. If

Defendant can make a more direct and immediate showing of Mr. Hughlett’s alleged bias, which it

has completely failed to do so far, the Court will consider allowing the evidence of collateral source

information as impeachment only, but it is unlikely that Defendant will be able to make such a

Case 3:06-cv-04380-EDL Document 67 Filed 02/14/08 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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showing.

Defendant’s Motion to Exclude Photographs is DENIED, subject to proper authentication by

the witness.

Defendant’s Motion for an Order Establishing a Presumption is DENIED.

JOINT LETTER FROM COUNSEL

The parties shall meet and confer regarding paring down the testimony of their expert

witnesses and stipulating to certain facts regarding economic damages and the neuropsychological

impact of Plaintiff’s injury. The parties shall report back to the Court no later than 10:00 a.m. on

February 19, 2008 via a jointly filed letter as to the status of their meet and confer efforts and

whether, despite good faith efforts to shorten time needed for witness testimony, any additional trial

time beyond the 8 1⁄2 hours each currently allocated is truly needed.

In that same letter, the parties shall notify the Court about the following jury instruction

matters: whether they agree to allow the jurors to have interim discussions about the case when all

are present inside the jury room; and whether any translation into English will be necessary. The

parties shall also provide a joint statement of undisputed facts for the undisputed facts jury

instruction and a joint statement of listed damages for the instruction regarding measures of types of

damages.

EXHIBITS

The parties shall meet and confer to further cull down and refine their exhibits. No later than

12:00 p.m. on February 21, 2008, the parties shall submit to the Court two sets of exhibits, and shall

notify the Court as to whether they stipulate to the exhibits’ admissibility. If either party has any

remaining objections to any of the exhibits, the parties shall submit a joint letter, outlining each

objection and response and specifying precisely which portion of which exhibits the party objects to.

TRIAL MECHANICS

Each side shall have 8 1⁄2 hour hours for trial for openings, closings, and examinations of

witnesses. 

The witnesses shall be sequestered during trial. 

Each side shall have three peremptory challenges. The Court will select a jury of eight

Case 3:06-cv-04380-EDL Document 67 Filed 02/14/08 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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persons. 

Each side shall have 15-20 minutes to ask follow up voir dire questions after the Court

conducts initial voir dire. Each side shall have five minutes to make a mini-opening statement prior

to jury selection.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 14, 2008 

ELIZABETH D. LAPORTE

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 3:06-cv-04380-EDL Document 67 Filed 02/14/08 Page 3 of 3