BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE NORTH AMERICAN TIRE, LLC v. GARCIA

Nos. 4D07-1793, 4D07-1796, 4D07-1797, 4D07-2515, 4D07-2600.

991 So.2d 912 (2008)

BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE NORTH AMERICAN TIRE, LLC, Appellant, v. Hortensia Palmira GARCIA, as personal representative of the Estate of Antonio Sanchez Rodriguez and on behalf of all his survivors including Sergio Ruben Sanchez, Christian Marcelo Sanchez, Jose Osvaldo Sanchez Garcia, and the minor Rodrigo Antonio Sanchez Baez, represented by his mother Mirta Susana Baez, and Carlos Dario Santiso, individually and as personal representative of the Estate of Maria Cecilia Rocca, et al., Appellees. TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc., TRW Automotive U.S. LLC, and TRW Canada Limited, Appellants, v. Carlos Dario Santiso, individually and as personal representative of the Estate of Maria Cecilia Rocca, et al., Appellees. Ford Motor Company, a foreign corporation, Appellant, v. Hortensia Palmira Garcia, as personal representative of the Estate of Antonio Sanchez Rodriguez and on behalf of all his survivors including Sergio Ruben Sanchez, Christian Marcelo Sanchez, Jose Osvaldo Sanchez Garcia, and the minor Rodrigo Antonio Sanchez Baez, represented by his mother Mirta Susana Baez, and Carlos Dario Santiso, individually and as personal representative of the Estate of Maria Cecilia Rocca, et al., Appellees. Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC, Appellant, v. Anibal Oscar Papandopoles, as Personal Representative for the Estate of Teresa Ivanoff; Estela Noemi Ivanovik, individually; Ruben Omar Papandopoles, individually; Roxana Fan, individually; Rebeca Papandopoles, a minor by and through her parents Ruben Omar Papandopoles and Roxana Fan; Antonella Papandopoles, a minor by and through her parents, Ruben Omar Papandopoles and Roxana Fan; Brenda Papandopoles, a minor by and through her parents, Ruben Omar Papandopoles and Roxana Fan; and Javier Mauricio Papandopoles, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Daiana Elizabeth Papadopoulos, Appellees.

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District.

Rehearing Denied October 16, 2008.


Attorney(s) appearing for the Case

Christopher N. Bellows, Rebecca M. Plasencia and Leon Fresco of Holland & Knight LLP, Miami, for appellant Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC.

Guy E. Motzer and Sarah L. Shullman of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, L.L.P., West Palm Beach, for appellants TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc., TRW Automotive U.S. LLC, and TRW Canada Limited.

Alina Alonso and Wendy Lumish of Carlton Fields, P.A., Miami, for appellant Ford Motor Company, a foreign corporation.

Philip M. Burlington of Burlington & Rockenbach, P.A., West Palm Beach, and John J. Uustal of Kelley Uustal, PLC, Fort Lauderdale, for appellees.


HAZOURI, J.

The issue in these cases is whether the trial court erred in denying appellants' motions to dismiss on forum non conveniens grounds filed in four separate cases brought by appellees.1 We affirm because we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in finding that Argentina is an inadequate and unavailable alternative forum under the facts of this case.

Appellees, citizens of Argentina, filed complaints...

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