Opinion ID: 2831400
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Definition of “Plaintiff”

Text: Texas has codified the doctrine of forum non conveniens. TEX . CIV . PRAC. & REM . CODE § 71.051. The general rule is stated in section 71.051(b): If a court of this state, on written motion of a party, finds that in the interest of justice and for the convenience of the parties a claim or action to which this section applies would be more properly heard in a forum outside this state, the court shall decline to exercise jurisdiction under the doctrine of forum non conveniens and shall stay or dismiss the claim or action. In determining whether to grant a motion to stay or dismiss an action under the doctrine of forum non conveniens, the court shall consider whether [certain enumerated factors apply]. Id. § 71.051(b). An exception to the general rule precludes dismissal of claims by plaintiffs who are legal residents of Texas: The court may not stay or dismiss a plaintiff’s claim under Subsection (b) if the plaintiff is a legal resident of this state. If an action involves both plaintiffs who are legal residents of this state and plaintiffs who are not, the court may not stay or dismiss the action under Subsection (b) if the plaintiffs who are legal residents of this state are properly joined in the action and the action arose out of a single occurrence. The court shall dismiss a claim under Subsection (b) if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that a party was joined solely for the purpose of obtaining or maintaining jurisdiction in this state and the party’s claim would be more properly heard in a forum outside this state. Id. § 71.051(e). The statute defines “plaintiff” as: Intervenors/Plaintiffs, and that Defendant Ford and Defendants Michelin are completely responsible and legally liable for all claims arising out of the death of Cesar Mendez. 4 a party seeking recovery of damages for personal injury or wrongful death. In a cause of action in which a party seeks recovery of damages for personal injury to or the wrongful death of another person, “plaintiff” includes both that other person and the party seeking such recovery. The term does not include a counterclaimant, cross-claimant, or third-party plaintiff or a person who is assigned a cause of action for personal injury, or who accepts an appointment as a personal representative in a wrongful death action, in bad faith for purposes of affecting in any way the application of this section. Id. § 71.051(h)(2) (emphasis added). The statute expressly excludes third-party plaintiffs from the definition of “plaintiff,” but does not define “third-party plaintiff.” Nor does the statute define or address intervenors.