Opinion ID: 2675191
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Mitchell, Gross, and Wiltz

Text: 1For example, they allege that the drywall “emits various sulfide gases,” damages the structural, mechanical and plumbing systems of the home, and damages other appliances in the home. We express no view on these allegations. 3 Case: 12-31213 Document: 00512636188 Page: 4 Date Filed: 05/20/2014 No. 12-31213 The Mitchell Company (“Mitchell”) is an Alabama construction company that has built homes and apartments in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida. On March 6, 2009, Mitchell sued TG, among others, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. Mitchell sued on behalf of itself and a class “composed of all persons and entities” in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, and Florida who “constructed an improvement to real estate using drywall manufactured or distributed by Defendants” and incurred expenses associated with repairing the drywall itself, repairing property damage that the drywall caused, and liability to property owners as a result of the damage. Mitchell properly served TG on May 8, 2009. On June 15, 2009, the MDL panel transferred Mitchell to the Eastern District of Louisiana. TG failed to appear, and Mitchell moved for a default judgment. The Clerk entered a preliminary default against TG on September 22, 2009, and on June 10, 2010, TG made its first appearance. TG moved to vacate the preliminary default under Rule 55(c) and also moved to dismiss the case for lack of personal jurisdiction under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(2). The MDL court denied TG’s motions in its omnibus September 4, 2012 order.
The Gross plaintiffs filed directly in the MDL court on October 7, 2009. The plaintiffs sued, among others, TG and TTP, on behalf of themselves and all United States homeowners who have defective drywall in their homes. They allege that defendants’ drywall has caused them economic harm from the costs of inspection, costs of repairs, and devaluation of their homes, and physical harm such as an increased risk of disease. Because plaintiffs concede that they have failed to “identify the manufacturer of the product that caused the harm,” they urge liability for the defendants “in ratio to their proportionate share of 4 Case: 12-31213 Document: 00512636188 Page: 5 Date Filed: 05/20/2014 No. 12-31213 the relevant market.” 2 After jurisdictional discovery, TG and TTP moved to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction under Rule 12(b)(2). The district court denied the motion in its omnibus September 4, 2012 order.
The Wiltz plaintiffs also filed directly in the MDL court. They are suing, among others, TG and TTP, on behalf of themselves and all owners and residents of property containing defective Chinese drywall. After completing jurisdictional discovery, TG and TTP moved to dismiss Wiltz for lack of personal jurisdiction under Rule 12(b)(2). The district court denied the motion in its omnibus September 4, 2012 order. 3