Case Name: Jack CLARK and Myrtle Reid Clark v. John S. TAYLOR, Jr. and Bonnie Nelson Taylor
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1997-06-30
Citations: 697 So. 2d 240
Docket Number: No. 97-CC-1059
Parties: Jack CLARK and Myrtle Reid Clark v. John S. TAYLOR, Jr. and Bonnie Nelson Taylor.
Judges: 
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 697
Pages: 240–240

Head Matter:
Jack CLARK and Myrtle Reid Clark v. John S. TAYLOR, Jr. and Bonnie Nelson Taylor.
No. 97-CC-1059.
Supreme Court of Louisiana.
June 30, 1997.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Granted. The trial judge was incorrect in ruling that he was divested of jurisdiction to try the issue of quantum while the judgment on liability in the bifurcated trial was on appeal. Pursuant to La.Code CivJProc. art. 1915B, the trial court retains jurisdiction to adjudicate the remaining issues in the case while the appeal of the judgment on liability is pending. See also La.Civ.Proc. art. 2088. Nevertheless, the trial judge has the discretion not to proceed with the issue of damages pending the appeal. It is therefore appropriate to vacate the ruling and to remand the case to the trial judge for a discretionary determination of whether to proceed.
Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is vacated and set aside, and the ease is remanded to the trial court to determine, in its discretion, whether a stay of the damages phase is warranted under the facts of this case.
Marcus, J., not on panel.