Pa. Has Jurisdiction Over Contaminated Endoscope Case, Appellate Court Rules

PHILADELPHIA — Pennsylvania courts have jurisdiction over a case involving contaminated duodenoscope, an appellate court has ruled, finding that although the device was used in North Carolina and manufactured by a Japanese corporation, the co-defendants engaged in significant conduct in Pennsylvania.

In an April 10 published opinion, the Pennsylvania Superior Court further ruled that the trial court erred in dismissed the claims on the basis of forum non conveniens because there were no “weighty reasons” for disturbing the plaintiff’s choice of forum.

Janice Vaughan underwent medical procedures in North Carolina, during which physicians used an Olympus TJF-Q180V duodenoscope. The scope …