Opinion ID: 882157
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Prada/Whiting Settlement

Text: As already stated, before the Pradas commenced their separate action against the State, they entered into a $300,000 settlement with the Whitings' insurance carrier. The plaintiffs jointly moved for an order in limine, to allow the court to deduct the amount of the settlement from any final award received by the Pradas, but to exclude the fact of the settlement, and the settlement amount, from the jury, on the grounds that such information would lead to substantial confusion and prejudice. After a hearing, the court granted the motion and re-affirmed the order in its post-trial Opinion and Order. The State now contends that the jury should have been informed of this settlement. The State's contention is without merit. We have already commented on the preferable method to handle questions of settling parties. In Azure v. City of Billings (1979), 182 Mont. 234, 244-45, 596 P.2d 460, 466 we held: The preferable method is to let the jury find total damages without disclosing the amount of the settlement to the jury, and thereafter the court, upon request of counsel, must deduct the amount of the settlement from the amount of the jury verdict. This was the exact method used by the District Court. If the jury is instructed and informed as to the facts of a previous settlement with a settling party, which is the method the State now urges upon this Court, confusion among the jury is likely and substantial prejudice may result to both plaintiff and defendant. We find no error. The District Court, in this regard, is affirmed. VI