Court Opinion

ID: 9657226
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 20:17:49.520401+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:13:42.337067
License: Public Domain

R. B. Burns, J.
(dissenting). Plaintiff, Sandra L. Robey, executrix of the estate of Jessie Thomas Robey, deceased, appeals from a Wayne Circuit Court order granting defendant Ford Motor Company’s motion to dismiss on the grounds of forum non conveniens. Plaintiff’s decedent was killed in Lunenberg County, Virginia, on October 19, 1982, when the Ford 4000 tractor he was driving allegedly overturned and crushed him. Plaintiff, both at the time of the accident and at the present time, is a resident of Virginia.
The instant case was filed in Wayne Circuit Court on October 18, 1984. At approximately the same time, an identical action was filed in Lunenberg County, Virginia. Defendant successfully removed that case to the United States District Court in Richmond, Virginia, approximately 125 miles away. Wishing to pursue the Michigan action, plaintiff requested voluntary dismissal without prejudice of the federal suit. However, by its January 11, 1985, order the federal district court granted dismissal with prejudice because plaintiff’s two suits in different courts respecting the identical claim put defendant to unnecessary expense.
Defendant then moved to dismiss based on forum non conveniens in Wayne Circuit Court. The trial court granted the defendant’s motion.
In Cray v General Motors Corp, 389 Mich 392; 207 NW2d 393 (1973), and the three other cases consolidated for hearing therewith, the Michigan Supreme Court held that Michigan courts may decline jurisdiction of a case by applying the doctrine of forum non conveniens. In addition to setting forth the criteria which should be included *648in making such a determination, the Supreme Court also articulated the rule that
[t]he principle of forum non conveniens establishes the right of a court to resist imposition upon its jurisdiction although such jurisdiction could properly be invoked. It presupposes that there are at least two possible choices of forum. [389 Mich 395.]
This Court will not reverse the lower court’s application of the forum non conveniens doctrine unless there is an abuse of discretion. Bellin v Johns-Manville Sales Corp, 141 Mich App 128; 366 NW2d 20 (1984); Dayton Mall Motor Inn v Honeywell, Inc, 132 Mich App 174; 347 NW2d 15 (1984); Cray v General Motors Corp, supra. Cray suggests that a reviewing court should look to the convenience to the parties and the ends of justice in such a determination. 389 Mich 396.
The Cray Court then set forth the following factors to be considered in rejecting or accepting jurisdiction:
1. The private interest of the litigant.
a. Availability of compulsory process for attendance of unwilling and the cost of obtaining attendance of willing witnesses;
b. Ease of access to sources of proof;
c. Distance from the situs of the accident or incident which gave rise to the litigation;
d. Enforceability of any judgment obtained;
e. Possible harassment of either party;
f. Other practical problems which contribute to the ease, expense and expedition of the trial;
g. Possibility of viewing the premises.
2. Matters of public interest.
a. Administrative difficulties which may arise in an area which may not be present in the area of origin;
*649b. Consideration of the state law which must govern the case;
c. People who are concerned by the proceeding.
3. Reasonable promptness in raising the plea of forum non conveniens. [389 Mich 396.]
In granting defendant’s forum non conveniens motion, the trial court said
[t]hat the motion is hereby granted because the accident occurred in Virginia, the plaintiif resided in Virginia and the defendant was doing business in Virginia.
While the trial judge could have articulated his reasons more fully, I find no abuse of discretion.
I would affirm.