Provides the following punitive damage reforms a) raises the standard of conduct for punitive damages from the current “willful indifference” to a standard of “deliberate disregard”; b) establishes the party’s right to insist on a bifurcated trial when a claim includes punitive damages; a separate proceeding is held to consider financial condition of the defendant and other evidence relevant only to punitive damages;
c) provides trial and appellate judges the power to review all punitive damage awards.
