Goodyear Dunlop Tires Operations, S.A. v. Edgar D. Brown, et ux., Co-Administrators of the Estate of Julian David Brown
In brief
The Supreme Court overturned the state appeals court and ruled that Goodyear’s foreign affiliates could not be sued in North Carolina over claims unrelated to their activity in the state.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 9-0 · June 27, 2011 · Opinion by Justice Ginsburg
- What it’s about
- After two North Carolina teenagers died in a bus crash in France, their families sued Goodyear’s foreign affiliates in North Carolina over allegedly faulty tires made in Turkey.
- Who it affects
- Goodyear’s foreign affiliates could not face these North Carolina claims because they were unrelated to the affiliates’ activities in the state.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court overturned the state appeals court, ruling that the affiliates could not be sued in North Carolina over claims unrelated to their activities there.
The case followed a bus crash in France that killed two North Carolina teenagers; Julian Brown’s estate administrators brought the suit.
The suit was filed in North Carolina over a fatal crash in France involving tires allegedly made in Turkey.
Question presented
May a consumer sue a foreign manufacturer in a U.S. court when the manufacturer's only connection with the United States is that another company sells its products in this country?
What the Court decided
Holding
Petitioners were not amenable to suit in North Carolina on claims unrelated to any activity of petitioners in the forum State. 199 N. C. App. 50, 681 S. E. 2d 382, reversed.
- Result
- Reversed
The vote
What's next
The North Carolina appeals court’s judgment has been overturned. The Supreme Court’s disposition does not identify any further step in the case.
Documents
Opinions
Audio
Docket activity
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Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.