Opinion ID: 2533739
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Although Undue Delay Due to Bifurcation Is a Valid Concern, It May Be Addressed Through an Alternative Approach.

Text: The Dowdys argue that if the coverage matters involved in this case are not arbitrated they will have to endure excessive delay. The Dowdys point out that in Lawrence, which also involved NIED and loss of society coverage claims, the bifurcated case took almost seven years to finally resolve. The Dowdys maintain that if they are forced to wait for the superior court's resolution of their case and the likely Alaska Supreme Court appeal, they will not be able to put the terrible event of their daughter's death behind them for several more years. They argue that [o]ut of respect for [their] grief the court should allow them to promptly present to the arbitrators their testimony about the terrible ordeal of September 30, 2000. The Dowdys are correct in their assessment of the delaying effects of court adjudication of coverage issues before arbitration of liability and damages. But commentators have recognized an alternative approach that addresses this problem of delay. For example, in his treatise, Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance, Professor Alan Widiss suggests that courts should have flexibility in determining the order of bifurcated proceedings: There seems to be little, if any, reason why coverage issues  which insurers insist on resolving within the judicial system  must or should be decided first. To the extent that arbitration in fact provides an efficient and expeditious resolution process, it seems preferable to pursue that adjudication first.[ [17] ] We agree with Professor Widiss that in some cases it may be preferable to allow arbitration to precede adjudication of coverage issues. Application of such an approach could allow plaintiffs to be heard on the adjudicated factual issues on a more expedited basis. We leave discretion to trial courts to allow arbitration of liability and damages to proceed before or even concurrently with court adjudication of coverage in order to alleviate concerns regarding delay.