No. 18-1314

Kimberly Meador, et al. v. Apple, Inc.

Lower Court: Fifth Circuit
Docketed: 2019-04-16
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Response Waived
Tags: 28-usc-1332 access-to-courts certification-to-state-supreme-court civil-rights collision court-access distracted-driving diversity-jurisdiction diversity-jurisdiction-28-usc-1332 driver-distraction due-process erie-doctrine negligence product-liability smartphone-manufacturer-liability statutory-interpretation subject-matter-jurisdiction texas-law
Key Terms:
DueProcess Patent Jurisdiction
Latest Conference: 2019-05-23
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether Texas courts would hold a smartphone manufacturer liable for injuries and deaths caused by a driver distracted by the manufacturer's smartphone

Question Presented (from Petition)

QUESTION(S) PRESENTED 1. Has the court of appeals failed to exercise its mandatory diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332 by refusing to make an “Hie guess” whether Texas courts would hold a smartphone manufacturer liable for the injuries and deaths which ensued after a driver, distracted by her smartphone, collided with another vehicle, especially when Texas law provides a reasonably clear template for making that prediction? 2. Were petitioners denied due process of law or their right of access to the courts when after refusing to make an “Evie guess” about whether Texas law would hold respondent liable for its role in causing this accident, the court of appeals refused swa sponte to certify this question to the Texas Supreme Court and then denied petitioners’ motion to do so?

Docket Entries

2019-05-28
Petition DENIED.
2019-05-07
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 5/23/2019.
2019-04-24
Waiver of right of respondent Apple, Inc. to respond filed.
2019-04-11
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due May 16, 2019)

Attorneys

Apple, Inc.
Theodore J. Boutrous Jr.Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Respondent
Theodore J. Boutrous Jr.Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Respondent
Kimberly Meador, et al.
Gregory P. LoveLove Law Firm, Petitioner
Gregory P. LoveLove Law Firm, Petitioner