Bill Cremer and Tom Pender Secure Dismissal of Swiss Manufacturer of Air Purifiers in Fire Damage Lawsuit

 

The United State District Court for the District of Massachusetts recently granted the motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction that Bill Cremer and Tom Pender filed on behalf of the firm’s client, a Swiss manufacturer of air purifiers and other household appliances.  The plaintiff insurance carrier alleged that its insured purchased the air purifier in Maine and installed it for use in his home in Boston.  It further alleged that the air purifier became clogged with debris, caught fire, and destroyed its insured’s home.  Bill and Tom presented evidence that the Swiss manufacturer did not conduct business in Massachusetts and had no jurisdictional contacts there.  The Court agreed that the Swiss company had insufficient contacts in the Commonwealth and further refused to impose jurisdiction simply because its product was brought into the state by a third party.  The case is now proceeding against the remaining defendants, including the retailer that sold the unit.