Ex Parte American Timber & Steel Company, Inc. (in Re Bishop Ivey, Carolyn Kelley, Joan Foye Wynn, Sonie Taylor…

Summary

The court held that Alabama could exercise specific personal jurisdiction over ATSC because ATSC arranged for lumber to be transported through Alabama and allegedly loaded the shipment improperly or negligently selected the carrier, creating a foreseeable connection to the accident. The court held that Alabama could not exercise specific personal jurisdiction over the Getloaded defendants because their website-related conduct did not demonstrate that they expected or purposefully caused the shipment or truck to enter Alabama. The court denied ATSC's petition and granted the Getloaded defendants' petition, directing dismissal of the claims against the latter for lack of personal jurisdiction. Justice Murdock specially concurred, agreeing with the analysis but noting that minimally viable causes of action may be required before allegations can support personal jurisdiction.