Santa Ana

Reduced Damages OKd: A father and his son have agreed to a $13.5-million reduction in the damages they were awarded by a county jury. John Bancroft and his son reluctantly agreed to accept $2 million rather than face the uncertainties of a new trial, said attorney Martin C. Handweiler. On Oct. 3, a jury found that Equifax Services Inc., a nationwide investigation firm, had erroneously reported that Bancroft’s wife was ineligible for medical insurance covering hospitalization six months before she died. Jurors fixed damages at $15.5 million. Superior Court Judge Richard W. Luesebrink found on Dec. 9 that the damages were excessive and gave the Bancrofts the choice of accepting less or a new trial. Equifax lawyers have stated their intention to appeal, Handweiler said Wednesday.