(2) At the time of filing a pleading with the court, the pleading may not contain a request for an award of punitive damages. At any time after the pleading is filed, a party may move the court to allow the party to amend the pleading to assert a claim for punitive damages. The party making the motion may submit affidavits and documentation supporting the claim for punitive damages. The party or parties opposing the motion may submit opposing affidavits and documentation.
(3) The court shall deny a motion to amend a pleading made under the provisions of this section if:
(a) The court determines that the affidavits and supporting documentation submitted by the party seeking punitive damages fail to set forth specific facts supported by admissible evidence adequate to avoid the granting of a motion for a directed verdict to the party opposing the motion on the issue of punitive damages in a trial of the matter; or
(b) The party opposing the motion establishes that the timing of the motion to amend prejudices the party’s ability to defend against the claim for punitive damages.
(4) The court may grant a continuance on a motion under this section to allow a party opposing the motion to conduct such discovery as is necessary to establish one of the grounds for denial of the motion specified in subsection (3) of this section. If the court grants the motion, the court may continue the action to allow such discovery as the defendant may require to defend against the claim for punitive damages.
(5) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, the court shall conduct a hearing on a motion filed under this section not more than 30 days after the motion is filed and served. The court shall issue a decision within 10 days after the hearing. If no decision is issued within 10 days, the motion shall be considered denied.
(6) Discovery of evidence of a defendant’s ability to pay shall not be allowed by a court unless and until the court grants a motion to amend a pleading under this section. [Formerly 18.535]
Structure 2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 01 - Courts, Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure
Section 31.150 - Special motion to strike; when available; burden of proof.
Section 31.152 - Time for filing special motion to strike; discovery; attorney fees.
Section 31.155 - Exempt actions; substantive law not affected.
Section 31.200 - Liability of radio or television station personnel for defamation.
Section 31.210 - When general damages allowed.
Section 31.215 - Publication of correction or retraction upon demand.
Section 31.230 - Wrongful use of civil proceeding; pleading; procedure.
Section 31.260 - Definitions for ORS 31.260 to 31.278.
Section 31.262 - Notice of adverse health care incident.
Section 31.266 - Discussion communications; admissibility; disclosure.
Section 31.270 - Payment and resolution.
Section 31.272 - Statute of limitations; evidence of offers and payments.
Section 31.274 - Patient representatives.
Section 31.276 - Duties of Oregon Patient Safety Commission; rules.
Section 31.278 - Use of information relating to notice of adverse health care incident.
Section 31.280 - Task Force on Resolution of Adverse Health Care Incidents; rules.
Section 31.300 - Pleading requirements for actions against design professionals.
Section 31.350 - Pleading requirements for actions against real estate licensees.
Section 31.555 - Effect of advance payment; payment as satisfaction of judgment.
Section 31.580 - Effect of collateral benefits.
Section 31.605 - Special questions to trier of fact; jury not to be informed of settlement.
Section 31.620 - Doctrines of last clear chance and implied assumption of risk abolished.
Section 31.710 - Limitation on award for noneconomic damages in claim for wrongful death.
Section 31.740 - When award of punitive damages against health practitioner prohibited.
Section 31.760 - Evidence of nonuse of safety belt or harness to mitigate damages.
Section 31.805 - Basis for proportional shares of tortfeasors.