Drywall MDL Judge Dismisses Non-Resident Insurer for Lack of Jurisdiction

NEW ORLEANS - Auto Owners Insurance Co. has been dismissed from a direct-action Louisiana coverage suit filed against the company in the federal Chinese drywall MDL. In Re: Chinese-Manufactured Drywall Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2047 (E.D. La.).

Judge Eldon E. Fallon of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana granted the insurer's motion July 18, determining that the court lacks personal jurisdiction over Auto-Owners and its related entities, absent any continuous or systematic contact the insurer had with the state.

Judge Fallon issued the two-page order without reasons, but referred to a decision based on identical …