Bifurcated trials

(a) Judges are encouraged to order a bifurcated trial of the issues of liability and damages in any action for personal injury where it appears that bifurcation may assist in a clarification or simplification of issues and a fair and more expeditious resolution of the action. (b) Where a bifurcated trial is ordered, the issues of liability and damages shall be severed and the issue of liability shall be tried first, unless the court orders otherwise. (c) In the event of a claimant's judgment on the issue of liability or a defendant's judgment on the issue of liability on a counterclaim, the damage phase of the trial shall be conducted as soon as possible before the same judge, unless the judge presiding over the trial, for reasons stated in the record, finds such procedure to be impracticable.