Fla. Court Reverses Order Dismissing 83 Cases for Forum Issues

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A Florida appellate court has reversed the dismissal and remanded the claims of 83 non-resident plaintiffs, stating that the evidence before the trial court was insufficient to support a finding of forum non conveniens. Baranek, et al. v. American Optical Corp., et al., Nos. 4D05-9 through 4D05-94 (Fla. Ct. App., 4th District).

In a Nov. 15 opinion, Florida's 4th District Court of Appeal said that the Palm Beach County Circuit Court erred in concluding that adequate, alternative forums existed wherein plaintiffs' claims could be re-instituted against the 53 defendants named in each complaint.

Concerned about …