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IN RE ASBESTOS PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION, 965 F.Supp.2d 612 (2013)

Court: District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania Number: infdco20130827g19 Visitors: 32
Filed: Aug. 26, 2013
Latest Update: Aug. 26, 2013
Summary: MEMORANDUM Certain cases on the 02-md-875 Maritime Docket (MARDOC), listed in the attached exhibits EDUARDO C. ROBRENO, District Judge. I. INTRODUCTION II. LEGAL STANDARD ........................................................... 616 A. Motions to Dismiss based on Lack of Personal Jurisdiction under Rule 12(b)(2) ........................................................... 616 B. Motions to Dismiss based on Improper Service under Rule 4(h) ......... 616 III. DISCUSSION ..................
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MEMORANDUM

Certain cases on the 02-md-875 Maritime Docket (MARDOC), listed in the attached exhibits

EDUARDO C. ROBRENO, District Judge.


  I.  INTRODUCTION

 II.  LEGAL STANDARD ........................................................... 616
      A.  Motions to Dismiss based on Lack of Personal Jurisdiction under Rule
            12(b)(2) ........................................................... 616
      B.  Motions to Dismiss based on Improper Service under Rule 4(h) ......... 616

III.  DISCUSSION ............................................................... 616
      A.  Motions to Dismiss based on Lack of Personal Jurisdiction under Rule
             12(b)(2) .......................................................... 616
          1.  History .......................................................... 616
          2.  Arguments by the Parties ......................................... 618
          3.  Relevant Law, Application & Analysis ............................. 619
                i.  Personal Jurisdiction over Non-Resident Defendants under
                      Ohio Law ................................................. 619
                    a.  There is no personal jurisdiction over defendants ...... 620
                    b.  Defendants did not waive the personal jurisdiction
                            defense ............................................ 620
               ii.  MDL Court May Not Transfer Cases ........................... 622
      B.  Motions to Dismiss based on Improper Service under Rule 4 ............ 624
          1.  Arguments by the Parties ......................................... 624
          2.  Relevant Law, Application & Analysis ............................. 625

 IV.  CONCLUSION ............................................................... 626

I. INTRODUCTION

Before the Court are 565 motions to dismiss1 in cases that are part of MDL 875, the consolidated asbestos products liability multidistrict litigation pending in the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The cases are on the MDL's maritime docket ("MARDOC").2

Beginning in the mid-1980's, the Jaques Admiralty Law Firm3 began filing cases in the Northern District of Ohio on behalf of merchant marines who were alleged to have been injured from exposure to asbestos-containing products located aboard commercial vessels. Named as defendants were manufacturers and suppliers of the accused products, and the shipowners themselves. Typically, each case named upwards of 100 defendants. Ultimately, by the year 2009, more than 50,000 cases had been filed involving millions of claims against hundreds of defendants.

The cases initially progressed in the Northern District of Ohio under the superintendencey of Judge Thomas Lambros. Because the claims fell within the admiralty jurisdiction of the court, they were administratively assigned to a maritime docket, titled "MARDOC." See In re Am. Capital Equip., LLC, 688 F.3d 145, 149 (3d Cir.2012). In 1991, the cases were consolidated and transferred to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania as part of MDL 875 and assigned to Judge Charles Weiner. Id. In May of 1996, Judge Weiner administratively dismissed the cases then pending, finding that the claimants had "`provide[d] no real medical or exposure history,' and had been unable to do so for months." Id. (quoting In re Asbestos Prods. Liab. Litig. (No. VI), No. 2 MDL 875, 1996 WL 239863, at *1-2 (E.D.Pa. May 2, 1996)).

The MDL Court, however, allowed that any asymptomatic case could be reactivated if a plaintiff became impaired and could produce satisfactory evidence of "an asbestos-related personal injury compensable under the law" and "probative evidence of exposure[.]" Id. (quoting In re Asbestos Prods. Liab. Litig. (No. VI), 1996 WL 239863, at *5). Judge Weiner continued to preside over the cases until his passing in 2005.

In 2005, Judge James Giles was designated to preside over MARDOC (along with the land docket in MDL 875), where he remained until his resignation from the bench in 2008.

In October, 2008, Judge Eduardo Robreno, the undersigned, was appointed to succeed Judge Giles, and he has presided over the MARDOC docket since that date.

Over at least the past 25 years, the MARDOC litigation has reached Dickensian proportions. Plaintiffs have passed away; memories have faded; corporations have filed for bankruptcy; the legislature has enacted new laws; lawyers have come and gone, and so have judicial officers. The one constant in this scenario is that the MARDOC docket has grown in numbers, complexity and scope.

Now, some 25 years later, the Court, with the assistance of counsel, is called upon to divine the meaning of less-than-pellucid orders entered long ago by prior courts, and to disentangle the parties from a web of procedural knots that have thwarted the progress of this litigation.

With this background in mind, the Court turns to the adjudication of important threshold issues. One, does the Court have personal jurisdiction over the defendants? Two, was service of process upon defendants improper?

For the reasons outlined below, the 418 motions to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction listed in Exhibit "A," attached, will be granted, and the defendants who filed the motions will be dismissed from the cases.

As to the 147 motions to dismiss due to improper service of process listed in Exhibit "B," attached, the motions will be denied.

II. LEGAL STANDARD

A. Motions to Dismiss based on Lack of Personal Jurisdiction under Rule 12(b)(2)

In considering a Rule 12(b)(2) motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction, "[t]here are specific analytical steps [the Court] must take in determining whether personal jurisdiction can be asserted over a nonresident defendant[,]" and "Rule 4(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure is the starting point." Pennzoil Prods. Co. v. Colelli & Assoc., Inc., 149 F.3d 197, 200 (3d Cir.1998) (citing Mellon Bank (East) PSFS, Nat. Ass'n v. Farino, 960 F.2d 1217, 1221 (3d Cir.1992)). Rule 4(e) allows for personal jurisdiction over non-resident defendants to the extent authorized under the law of the state in which the district court sits. For purposes of a Rule 4(e) analysis in the present cases, the forum state in this case is Ohio.4

B. Motions to Dismiss based on Improper Service under Rule 4(h)

Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m), "[i]f a defendant is not served within 120 days after the complaint is filed," then "the court ... must dismiss the action without prejudice against that defendant or order that service be made within a specified time. But if the plaintiff shows good cause for the failure, the court must extend the time for service for an appropriate period." The Third Circuit has interpreted this rule to mean that, even without good cause, the court can, in its discretion, provide additional time to cure rather than dismiss the defendants. Petrucelli v. Bohringer & Ratzinger, 46 F.3d 1298, 1305 (3d Cir.1995).

III. DISCUSSION

A. Motions to Dismiss based on Lack of Personal Jurisdiction under Rule 12(b)(2)

1. History

Early in the litigation, and while the cases were pending in the Northern District of Ohio, the defendants in the case raised the issue of lack of personal jurisdiction. At an October 31, 1989 hearing held before Judge Lambros on the motions to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction, Judge Lambros found that there was no personal jurisdiction over the approximately 100 shipowner defendants named on the complaints.5 In doing so, Judge Lambros rejected plaintiffs' counsel's "national contacts" theory that, because maritime law strives to maintain uniformity throughout the country, a defendant who would be subject to jurisdiction in one United States jurisdiction should be subject to jurisdiction in any U.S. jurisdiction.6

At the same hearing, and crucial to the issues before the Court now, Judge Lambros stated that he would transfer the cases rather than grant the defendants' motions to dismiss. In response, the defense counsel requested time to consult with their clients regarding whether the clients would want their cases transferred to other jurisdictions where personal jurisdiction may lie, or whether they would want to waive personal jurisdiction arguments and remain in Ohio. Judge Lambros allowed counsel time to do so.

At the next hearing, on November 21, 1989, defense counsel stated that their clients could not make the decision whether to agree to the transfer or waive personal jurisdiction until the court ruled on other pending motions. See Pls.' Resp. in Opp., Exs. 5-1 & 5-2, Hr'g Tr. 2, Nov. 21, 1989, 02-md-875, ECF No. 2160-5 & 2160-6.

The day after that hearing, on November 22, 1989, the court issued Order No. 40, which directed plaintiffs to "report the choice of forum as to those cases which are the subject of the [forthcoming Order No. 41] transfer order[.]" See Order No. 40, Pls.' Resp. in Opp., Ex. E at 1-2, 02-md-875, ECF No. 2129-7. Order No. 40 also provided that defendants who "wish to remain in [the Northern District of Ohio] need only file answers to the complaints." Id.

A month later, on December 29, 1989, Judge Lambros issued Order No. 41. See Order No. 41, Pls.' Resp. in Opp., Ex. F, 02-md-875, ECF No. 2129-8. Order No. 41 purported to initiate the process of transferring the cases in which he had found there was no personal jurisdiction. The order provided: "[Personal] [j]urisdictional motions of defendant shipowners were granted at the November 21, 1989 MARDOC conference[,]" based on "the insufficiency of minimal state contacts to invoke in personam jurisdiction." Id. All of the shipowners who were to be transferred were listed on Exhibit A to Order No. 41, and the relevant cases were listed on Exhibit B. The jurisdictions to which plaintiffs claimed defendants would be subject to personal jurisdiction were also listed on Exhibit B. All other defendants not listed in Exhibit "A" were to file answers. The answers filed were listed in Master Answer # 1 and Master Answer # 2, and specifically included a personal jurisdiction defense. Defendants asked the district court to certify the issue for interlocutory appeal. Judge Lambros never ruled on the motion. Ultimately, for no reason apparent on the record, Judge Lambros did not issue severance orders identifying which claims and defendants were being transferred as identified on Exhibits "A" and "B," or, if they were to be transferred, to which jurisdictions they were to be transferred. Therefore, although the cases were ordered "transferred," in reality, they were never transferred to other jurisdictions and remained on the docket of the Northern District of Ohio until they were transferred and consolidated into MDL 875 beginning in 1991.

Now, more than twenty years later, this Court is asked to decide: Did Judge Lambros find the court had no personal jurisdiction over the defendants? Were the orders conditional or preliminary? Did the defendants waive the defense of personal jurisdiction by filing answers?

2. Arguments by the Parties

There are two categories of defendants in the MARDOC cases who argue that there is no personal jurisdiction over them. First, there are defendants with no Ohio contacts. Second, there are defendants who have some contacts with Ohio that are unrelated to plaintiffs' injuries.

As to the defendants with no Ohio contacts, plaintiffs no longer contend, as they did at first before Judge Lambros, that there is jurisdiction over these defendants under the "national contacts" or maritime jurisdiction theory. Rather, plaintiffs argue that these defendants waived or forfeited their personal jurisdiction defense when they filed answers based on Judge Lambros' Orders — to the extent that those defendants were in the cases during Judge Lambros' superintendencey and were not brought into the cases later — and/or when they subsequently participated in litigating these cases, either in the Northern District of Ohio or in the MDL Court.

Defendants counter that: First, that they filed answers pursuant to Judge Lambros' Orders "under protest." In other words, given that they were "ordered," they did not waive any defense voluntarily. They point to the answer filed wherein they specifically included the personal jurisdiction defense, thus preserving the defense. Further, they point out that, at the time, they asked for leave to file a motion for interlocutory appeal regarding the issue of personal jurisdiction that the district court never ruled on. Additionally, any participation that they have had in litigating these cases has been pursuant to court orders and not of their own volition. Therefore, defendants say, because there are no contacts with Ohio and they never waived or forfeited such a defense, there is no personal jurisdiction over them in these cases.

As to the defendants with some Ohio contacts, plaintiffs argue that Ohio recognizes general jurisdiction, and that any contacts the relevant defendants had with Ohio were so continuous and systematic that they are subject to jurisdiction in Ohio notwithstanding that their actions did not give rise to plaintiffs' alleged injuries.

Defendants reply that, assuming that the defendants had contacts with Ohio which were "continuous and systematic," Ohio does not recognize general jurisdiction, and any actions the defendants took in the forum did not give rise to plaintiffs' alleged injuries. Therefore, they are not subject to personal jurisdiction in Ohio, even if the defendants had some Ohio contacts.

In the alternative, plaintiffs argue that, even if the Court finds that there is no personal jurisdiction over all of the filing defendants, and that defendants never waived the defense, then the Court should transfer the cases to jurisdictions in which the defendants would be subject to personal jurisdiction in the interest of justice. Plaintiffs point to Lexecon Inc. v. Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach, 523 U.S. 26, 118 S.Ct. 956, 140 L.Ed.2d 62 (1998), arguing that it does not prohibit an MDL Court from transferring a case to a district other than itself when it is in the interest of justice.

As to the availability of transfer, defendants counter that, under Lexecon, an MDL transferee court has no power to transfer cases to other districts or to itself, and thus the appropriate remedy is for the Court to grant their motions to dismiss. Defendants further argue that, even if the Court did have the power to transfer the cases, transfer would not be in the interest of justice. This is because, even after Judge Lambros had concluded that the Northern District of Ohio did not have jurisdiction over the defendants, plaintiffs continued to file new cases in that district.

3. Relevant Law, Application & Analysis

i. Personal Jurisdiction over Non-Resident Defendants under Ohio Law

Ohio's long-arm statute is not coextensive with the federal Due Process Clause.7 Conn v. Zakharov, 667 F.3d 705, 712 (6th Cir.2012). Thus, "if jurisdiction is not proper under Ohio's long-arm statute there is no need to perform a Due Process analysis because jurisdiction over the defendant cannot be found." Id. at 713.

Under Ohio law, to determine whether the court has jurisdiction over a nonresidential defendant, the Court must determine: (1) whether the long-arm statute and the applicable rule of civil procedure confer jurisdiction and, if so, (2) whether the exercise of jurisdiction would deprive the nonresident defendant of the right to due process of law under the Fourteenth Amendment. Kauffman Racing Equip., L.L.C. v. Roberts, 126 Ohio St.3d 81, 930 N.E.2d 784, 790 (2010) (citing U.S. Sprint Commc'ns Co. Ltd. P'ship v. Mr. K's Foods, Inc., 68 Ohio St.3d 181, 624 N.E.2d 1048 (1994)).

The Ohio long-arm statute lists nine categories of contacts with the forum that will create jurisdiction, but only if the cause of action arises from those contacts.8 Ohio Rev.Code Ann. § 2307.382 (West 2013). Therefore, Ohio does not recognize general jurisdiction. As recently as 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit confirmed that "it is clear that under Ohio law, a court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a non-resident defendant only if specific jurisdiction can be found under one of the enumerated bases in Ohio's long-arm statute." Conn, 667 F.3d at 718.

Not only does Ohio "not appear to recognize general jurisdiction over non-resident defendants[,]" but "to hold otherwise would come dangerously close to collapsing Ohio's two-part jurisdictional inquiry into one, an outcome that the Ohio Supreme Court has repeatedly rejected." Id. (citing Goldstein v. Christiansen, 70 Ohio St.3d 232, 638 N.E.2d 541, 545 & n. 1 (1994)).

a. There is no personal jurisdiction over defendants

First, as to the defendants who, all parties agree, never had any contacts with Ohio, there is no personal jurisdiction over them under Ohio law. Plaintiffs do not argue this fact.

Second, regarding the defendants who have some contacts with Ohio that are unrelated to plaintiffs' alleged injuries, Ohio does not recognize general jurisdiction, and thus there is no personal jurisdiction over these defendants. Under Ohio law, to determine whether the court has jurisdiction over a nonresidential defendant, the Court must determine: (1) whether the long-arm statute and the applicable rule of civil procedure confer jurisdiction and, if so, (2) whether the exercise of jurisdiction would deprive the nonresident defendant of the right to due process of law under the Fourteenth Amendment. Roberts, 930 N.E.2d at 790.

Here, the inquiry stops at the first step, because Ohio's long-arm statute does not confer jurisdiction. The statute lists nine categories of contacts with the forum that will create jurisdiction, see supra note 8, and plaintiffs' alleged injuries must arise from those contacts, see Burnshire Dev., LLC v. Cliffs Reduced Iron Corp., 198 Fed.Appx. 425, 432 (6th Cir.2006). Plaintiffs' complaints do not make any jurisdictional allegations about any of defendants' specific activities that purportedly caused injury to plaintiffs. They do not identify how any of their claims arise from defendants' limited contacts with Ohio. As these defendants' contacts do not fall within the statutorily enumerated situations which give rise to personal jurisdiction, see Conn, 667 F.3d at 712, there is no personal jurisdiction over these defendants.9

b. Defendants did not waive the personal jurisdiction defense

Plaintiffs argue that the defendants with no Ohio contacts waived their right to raise the defense of personal jurisdiction. Defendants counter that they have not waived the defense, and that any participation in this ongoing litigation has been pursuant to court order.

"Because the requirement of personal jurisdiction represents first of all an individual right, it can, like other such rights, be waived." Ins. Corp. of Ireland, Ltd. v. Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee, 456 U.S. 694, 703, 102 S.Ct. 2099, 72 L.Ed.2d 492 (1982). A party can waive its personal jurisdiction defense by, inter alia, failing to make the argument in a motion under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(h)(1)(B)(i), or by participating in the litigation and thereby taking advantage of the forum. Id.; see, e.g., In re Texas E. Transmission Corp. PCB Contamination Ins. Coverage Litig., 15 F.3d 1230, 1236 (3d Cir.1994) ("a party is deemed to have consented to personal jurisdiction if the party actually litigates the underlying merits or demonstrates a willingness to engage in extensive litigation in the forum."); Reliable Tire Distribs., Inc. v. Kelly Springfield Tire Co., 623 F.Supp. 153, 155-56 (E.D.Pa.1985) ("There are limits in the extent to which a defendant can actively litigate a case without waiving defenses of personal jurisdiction and improper venue"); Burton v. N. Dutchess Hosp., 106 F.R.D. 477, 480 (S.D.N.Y.1985) ("It is well settled that lack of personal jurisdiction is a privileged defense that can be waived" by formal submission or by conduct). Here, defendants neither failed to raise the lack of personal jurisdiction timely nor participated in the litigation of their own volition.

First, as early as 1987, while the cases were still in the Northern District of Ohio, defendants raised the issue of lack of personal jurisdiction. See Order No. 41, Pls.' Resp. in Opp., Ex. E at 1, 02-md-875, ECF No. 2129-7 (statement by Judge Lambros that there were insufficient "minimal state contacts to invoke in personam jurisdiction.").

Additionally, in the MDL, Administrative Order No. 5 ("AO 5"), issued in 1995, denied without prejudice all outstanding motions to dismiss that were pending at the time AO 5 was entered, and suspended the filing of additional motions.10 When this Court implemented AO 25 in 2011, again any pending motions to dismiss were denied without prejudice. At the same time, defendants again requested to have the Court decide the personal jurisdiction issue, but were ordered by the MDL Court to participate in the litigation prior to being given the chance to file the instant motions to dismiss. Additionally, Magistrate Judge Hey, ruling on behalf of the MDL 875 Court, issued orders on November 30, 2011 that denied other such motions without prejudice pursuant to AO 25.11 Essentially, defendants are now, for the first time since 1989, being given the chance to argue the issue of personal jurisdiction before the Court.

Second, it is apparent from the record that despite filing answers, defendants did not intend to waive the defense.12 In addition to including standard language about the personal jurisdiction defense, the answers included prefaces that specifically stated that defendants were filing the answers "under protest" pending review by the Court of Appeals of Judge Lambros' decision to transfer rather than dismiss the cases. In seeking to comply with Judge Lambros' orders, see Order No. 17, the defendants faced a Hobson's choice: they could either have agreed to a transfer of the cases to another jurisdiction (and thus lost the ability to assert cross-claims against manufacturer defendants), or they could have chosen to remain in the Northern District of Ohio and lost the defense of lack of personal jurisdiction.

By filing answers which clearly identified the defense, see Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(b), while at the same time seeking interlocutory review of Judge Lambros' order, defendants preserved and did not waive the defense.

ii. MDL Court May Not Transfer Cases

Nor is transfer of the cases to other jurisdictions permissible. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a), a district court "may transfer any civil action to any other district or division where it might have been brought or to any district or division to which all parties have consented" if it is in the interest of justice, for the convenience of the parties and witnesses.

However, in the MDL context, an MDL transferee court cannot transfer such a case by invoking Section 1404(a). Rather, section 1407 governs the mechanics of multidistrict litigation, and Section 1407(a) provides that, at the end of pretrial proceedings in the MDL transferee court, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") "shall" remand each case to the transferor court unless the case was previously terminated.13 28 U.S.C. § 1407(a).

In a seminal case, the Supreme Court held that, after an MDL transferee court has concluded pretrial proceedings, the court cannot then transfer the case to itself for trial under Section 1407(a). Lexecon, 523 U.S. at 26, 118 S.Ct. 956. Rather, because Section 1407(a) employs the term "shall," it obligates the JPML — and no other entity — to either dismiss an MDL action following pretrial proceedings, or to remand the MDL case to its original transferor court when, "at the latest, ... pretrial proceedings have run their course." Id. at 34-35, 118 S.Ct. 956. The Supreme Court was sweeping in its language that nothing "can unsettle the straightforward language imposing the Panel's responsibility to remand[.]"14 Id. at 40, 118 S.Ct. 956.

It follows, therefore, that after an MDL transferee court has seen an MDL case through the pretrial phase, the MDL court can either rule on the dispute, or suggest to the JPML that it be remanded to the transferor court for trial. Succinctly put, Lexecon does not allow an MDL transferee court to transfer a case back to itself for trial; nor does Lexecon leave room for the MDL transferee court to transfer MDL cases to other districts directly. Id.

Plaintiffs cite to an unreported District of Nevada case for the proposition that while Lexecon prohibits the MDL transferee court from transferring a case to itself, the MDL court could transfer cases to other districts pursuant to the following statutes: 28 U.S.C. § 1631,15 and/or 28 U.S.C. § 1406(a),16 so long as the plaintiffs waive their right to a remand under Section 1407(a). In Re: W. States Wholesale Nat. Gas Antitrust Litig., MDL 1566, 2010 WL 2539728 (D.Nev. June 4, 2010).

The language upon which plaintiffs rely is dicta in that the Nevada court declined to transfer the case because Plaintiff had not "requested a transfer or even suggested the possibility of transfer" until the motion for reconsideration stage. Id. In any event, to the extent that plaintiffs claim that the holding in the case suggests that this Court is authorized to transfer plaintiffs' cases, the Court disagrees with the conclusion that, under Lexecon, such a transfer would be permissible.17

Even if this Court were to find that transferring the MARDOC cases would not be contravening Lexecon, the Court would be required to find that good cause to transfer the cases existed. None is present.

Plaintiffs continued filing thousands of cases in the Northern District of Ohio after Judge Lambros stated in 1989 that the court did not have personal jurisdiction over the defendants. See, e.g., Stanifer v. Brannan, 564 F.3d 455, 457-61 (6th Cir.2009) (affirming the district judge's decision not to transfer because the plaintiff filed the case "without having the slightest reason to believe that he could obtain personal jurisdiction over the Defendants within this jurisdiction" and finding that, as a result, justice would not be served by a transfer). Being on notice that there was no personal jurisdiction over the defendants in the Northern District of Ohio, and having chosen to continue the litigation there, Plaintiffs cannot complain that it is now unjust for the motions to dismiss to be granted.18

Given that there is no personal jurisdiction over the defendants and that transfer to other districts is not permissible, the motions to dismiss will be granted.

B. Motions to Dismiss based on Improper Service under Rule 4

1. Arguments by the Parties

From the outset of the litigation, plaintiffs attempted service on defendants by mailing the service papers, return receipt requested, to defendants' business addresses. The mailings were done by counsel.

Plaintiffs argue that they made service in these cases as directed by Judge Lambros under Ohio law, and that under Ohio law, they were permitted to serve original process upon defendants by counsel mailing the service papers (complaint and summons) to defendants at their business addresses. Plaintiffs claim that this type of service was considered effective by Judge Lambros, so long as plaintiffs could show the defendants had actual notice of the actions. Plaintiffs have provided signed green cards evidencing receipt by the defendants of the service papers.

Defendants reply that service by counsel (instead of by the Clerk of Court in the state court) is ineffective under Ohio law and that only the mailing of the service papers, certified mail, return receipt processed by the Clerk of Court is effective.

Two questions are raised by these arguments. One, does Ohio law permit plaintiffs to serve original process upon an out-of-state defendant by having counsel (and not the Clerk of Court) mail the service papers to defendant? Two, did Judge Lambros find that service of process conducted pursuant to state law would be considered effective provided plaintiff could show defendants had "actual notice" of the action?

Ohio Civil Rule 4.3(B)(1), by way of Rule 4.1(A)(1)(a), allows service by certified mail, but the rule provides that the Clerk of Court shall perform the mailing. See Ohio Civ. P. 4.1(A)(1)(a) (providing that "[t]he clerk shall deliver a copy of the process and complaint or other document to be served to the United States Postal Service for mailing").

In Piercey v. Miami Valley Ready-Mixed Pension Plan, 110 F.R.D. 294, 295 (S.D.Ohio 1986), the court addressed the issue of whether under Ohio law, service of process sent via certified mail by counsel rather than by the Clerk of Court is sufficient for purposes of entering default judgment. The court held that, despite the actual wording of the rule, "certified mail service by an attorney which otherwise complies with the federal and Ohio rules is valid in this Court" because such service would not: (1) affect the "probability that this method of service will effectuate notice[,]" (2) nor "impair the cost-effectiveness or efficiency of such service"; and, (3) provided that certain safeguards were followed, would not undermine the "verification function of the clerk." Id. at 296. Regarding these safeguards, the court concluded that, in order to prevent

abuse either in the use of certified mail service or in the pursuit of an entry of default based upon that type of service... [c]ounsel must file ... (1) a copy of the cover letter to defendant, if any, which accompanied the Complaint and Summons; (2) an executed return of service, completed by the attorney; and (3) the signed green card, addressed to counsel, which accompanied the documents sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. Counsel must also prepare and file an affidavit to accompany these items. The affidavit must set forth (1) that the Complaint and Summons were sent, by counsel, to defendant by certified mail, return receipt requested; (2) the date that the documents were sent in this manner; and (3) that the green card was signed and mailed back to counsel.

Id. (emphasis added). These safeguards were required to protect the opposing party, at least in the context of a default judgment which were the circumstances in Piercey. The language that the Piercey court used in holding that the safeguards were necessary when counsel took on the role of the Clerk "either in the use of certified mail service or in the pursuit of an entry of default based upon that type of service" supports the position that the court intended these proofs to be filed whenever counsel, instead of the Clerk, effectuates service by certified mail.19 Id. (emphasis added).

2. Relevant Law, Application & Analysis

Piercey stands for the general proposition that under Ohio Law, service of original process is effective when counsel mails the process papers required by the Ohio Rule 4.3(B)(1) to defendants provided that there is sufficient proof that verifies that through the mailing defendant received notice of the pending action.

Applying Piercey, and under the circumstances of this case, the court holds that service of original process here satisfies Ohio law provided that plaintiffs can produce sufficient proof which verifies and confirms that through the mailing of the process papers, defendant received notice of the pending action.

It is recognized that, in these cases, plaintiffs have not satisfied all of the requirements of Piercey for verification of service, i.e., they have not provided the cover letter to the defendant, and have not filed affidavits detailing the circumstances of the mailing. Plaintiffs claim, however, that they can produce the signed "green cards" evidencing the signed return receipt. Assuming that plaintiffs can so show, the question becomes, is the signed "green card" sufficient evidence of service to satisfy Ohio Law Rule 4.3(B)(1)?

The issue was previously addressed by Judge Lambros. On November 3, 1987, Judge Lambros held a hearing to discuss the general management issues to be addressed in MARDOC given the scope of the litigation. Thereafter he entered Order No. 17,20 on November 28, 1987, which provided that if service was made pursuant to state law, "the return receipt of the registered mail would serve as proof of actual notice [to defendant]."21 Under these circumstances, the court finds that a signed returned green card, evidencing receipt by defendant of the original process papers, serves as sufficient proof of service to satisfy the verification requirements of Ohio Rule 4.3(B)(1).22

Accordingly, the Motions to Dismiss for improper service will be denied.23

IV. CONCLUSION

For the reasons outlined above, the motions to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction listed in Exhibit "A," attached, will be granted, and the defendants who filed the motions will be dismissed from the cases.

As to the motions to dismiss due to improper service of process listed in Exhibit "B," attached, the motions will be denied.

An appropriate order follows.

ORDER

AND NOW, this 26th day of August, 2013, for the reasons set forth in the accompanying Memorandum Opinion, it is hereby ORDERED as follows:

(1) The motions to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction listed in Exhibit "A," attached, are GRANTED, and the defendants who filed the motions are DISMISSED from the cases; and (2) The motions to dismiss due to improper service of process listed in Exhibit "B," attached, are DENIED.

AND IT IS SO ORDERED.

EXHIBIT A

                                                                                        02-875
                                                                                        Corresponding   Corresponding
Case                                                                             Doc.   Entry for       Response
Number     Caption                               Filed By                        No.    Motion          Entry

09-30218   Labrache v. A-C Product               Sheridan Co.                    113    1989            2189
           Liability Trust et al

09-91137   Bartel (Clements) et al v. A-C        National Bulk Carriers Corp.    126    Not filed on    148
           Product Liability Trust et al                                                02-875

10-30068   Parrish v. A-C Product                American Trading &              110    1957            2183
           Liability Trust et al                 Production Corp.

10-30539   Moreland v. A C Product
           Liability Trust et al                 American Trading Transp. Co.    92     1928            2182

10-30539   Moreland v. A C Product Liability     Amerada Hess Corp.              99     2037            2186
           Trust et al

11-30089   Almeida v. A-C Product Liability      Mystic Steamship Corporation    95     1976            2129
           Trust et al

11-30092   Alvarez v. A-C Product Liability      Amerada Hess Corp.              78     2037            2186
           Trust et al

11-30143   Berg v. A-C Product Liability         American President Lines        96     1956            2142
           Trust et al                           Ltd.

11-30210   Campagnini et al v. A-C               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    110    Not filed on    141
           Product Liability Trust et al                                                02-875

11-30210   Campagnini et al v. A-C               Amerada Hess Corp.              113    2037            2186
           Product Liability Trust et al

11-30245   Farrington v. A-C Product             Amerada Hess Corp.              109    2037            2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-30246   Fasano et al v. A-C Product           Ocean Carriers Corporation      97     1941            117, 118, 2130
           Liability Trust et al

11-30246   Fasano et al v. A-C Product           American Trading & Production   102    1957            2183
           Liability Trust et al                 Corp.

11-30246   Fasano et al v. A-C Product           Ocean Chemical Carriers Inc.    123    2021            2131
           Liability Trust et al

11-30246   Fasano et al v. A-C Product           American President Lines        101    1956            2142
           Liability Trust et al                 Ltd.

11-30251   Fernandez et al v. A-C Product        American President Lines        74     1956            2142
           Liability Trust et al                 Ltd.

11-30253   Fexer et al v. A-C Product            Sealift Inc.                    140    1946            188, 2133
           Liability Trust et al

11-30253   Fexer et al v. A-C Product            National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    153    Not filed on    190
           Liability Trust et al                                                        02-875

11-30253   Fexer et al v. A-C Product            Pacific Coast Transport Co.     150    1974            189, 2132
           Liability Trust et al

11-30253   Fexer et al v. A-C Product            Amerada Hess Corp.              154    2037            2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-30283   Gallegos et al v. A-C Product         Mystic Steamship Corporation    101    1976            2129
           Liability Trust et al

11-30283   Gallegos et al v. A-C Product         Eastern Gas & Fuel              103    1983            2177
           Liability Trust et al

11-30293   Gaskins et al v. A-C Product          W.R. Chamberlain Co.            80     N/A--Filed by   102
           Liability Trust et al                                                        atty

11-30335   Davis et al v. Foster Wheeler         American Trading Transp. Co.    88     1928            2182
           Company et al

11-30335   Davis et al v. Foster Wheeler         Amerada Hess Corp.              93     2037            2186
           Company et al

11-30347   Dempster v. A-C Product Liability     National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    86     Not filed on    110
           Trust et al                                                                  02-875

11-30347   Dempster v. A-C Product Liability     Amerada Hess Corp.              87     2037            2186
           Trust et al

11-30351   Dennis et al v. A-C Product           American Trading & Production   127    1957            2183
           Liability Trust et al                 Corp.

11-30351   Dennis et al v. A-C Product           National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    129    Not filed on    150
           Liability Trust et al                                                        02-875

11-30351   Dennis et al v. A-C Product           Amerada Hess Corp.              131    2037            2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-30370   Gomes et al v. A-C Product            National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    116    Not filed on    145
           Liability Trust et al                                                        02-875

11-30370   Gomes et al v. A-C Product            Eastern Gas & Fuel              112    1983            2177
           Liability Trust et al

11-30401   Hadwan v. A-C Product Liability       Sheridan Transportation Co.     115    1989            2189
           Trust et al

11-30401   Hadwan v. A-C Product Liability       Transoceanic Cable Ship         117    1990            137
           Trust et al                           Company, Inc.

11-30401   Hadwan v. A-C Product Liability       Ocean Ships, Inc.               106    1924            130, 2132
           Trust et al

11-30411   Hardeman et al v. Foster              American Trading & Production   115    1957            2183
           Wheeler Company et al                 Corp.

11-30411   Hardeman et al v. Foster              National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    117    Not filed on    144
           Wheeler Company et al                                                        02-875

11-30411   Hardeman et al v. Foster              Amerada Hess Corp.              120    2037            2186
           Wheeler Company et al

11-30417   Hart et al v. A-C Product Liability   National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    121    Not filed on    149
           Trust                                                                        02-875

11-30417   Hart et al v. A-C Product Liability   Amerada Hess Corp.              124    2037            2186
           Trust

11-30432   Hernandez et al v. A-C Product        American Trading & Production   129    1957            2183
           Liability Trust et al                 Corp.

11-30432   Hernandez et al v. A-C Product        National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    131    Not filed on    159
           Liability Trust et al                                                        02-875

11-30447   Duhon et al v. Foster Wheeler         American Trading & Production   86     1957            2183
           Company et al                         Corp.

11-30447   Duhon et al v. Foster Wheeler         Attransco                       82     1928            2182
           Company et al

11-30447   Duhon et al v. Foster Wheeler         Perm Attransco Corp.            113    2006            2184
           Company et al

11-30460   Elliott v. Foster Wheeler             Mystic Steamship Corporation    113    1976            2129
           Company et al

11-30471   Everhart v. A-C Product Liability     American Trading Transp. Co.    108    1928            2182
           Trust et al

11-30482   Martin v. A-C Product Liability       National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    86     Not filed on    109
           Trust et al                                                                  02-875

11-30485   Martinez v. A-C Product Liability     American Trading & Production   120    1957            2183
           Trust et al                           Corp.

11-30485   Martinez v. A-C Product Liability     Mystic Steamship Corporation    121    1976            2129
           Trust et al

11-30485   Martinez v. A-C Product Liability     National Bulk Carriers          125    Not filed on
           Trust et al                                                                  02-875          150

11-30485   Martinez v. A-C Product Liability     Amerada Hess Corp.              127    2037            2186
           Trust et al

11-30490   Mazone et al v. A-C Product           American Trading & Production   79     1957            2183
           Liability Trust et al                 Corp.

11-30490   Mazone et al v. A-C Product           American Trading & Production   80     1957            2183
           Liability Trust et al                 Corp.

11-30490   Mazone et al v. A-C Product           American Trading Transp. Co.    77     1928            2182
           Liability Trust et al

11-30490   Mazone et al v. A-C Product           Amerada Hess Corp.              85     2037            2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-30560   Battel v. American President          Sheridan Transportation Co.     102    1989            2189
           Lines Ltd., et al

11-30560   Battel v. American President          American President Lines        100    1956            2142
           Lines Ltd., et al                     Ltd.

11-30563   Norgan et al v. A-C Product           American Trading & Production   92     1957            2183
           Liability Trust et al                 Corp.

11-30608   Pasilong v. A-C Product Liability     American Overseas Marine        83     1959            106, 2127
           Trust et al                           Corp.

11-30608   Pasilong v. A-C Product Liability     Amerada Hess Corp.              89     2037            2186
           Trust et al

11-30609   Paul et al v. Foster Wheeler          American Trading & Production   131    1957            2183
           Co. et al                             Corp.

11-30609   Paul et al v. Foster Wheeler          American Trading & Production   132    Not filed on    159
           Co. et al                             Corp.                                  02-875

11-30609   Paul et al v. Foster Wheeler          National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    136    Not filed on    160
           Co. et al                                                                    02-875

11-30609   Paul et al v. Foster Wheeler          Attransco, Inc.                 124    1928            2182
           Co. et al

11-30609   Paul et al v. Foster Wheeler          American President Lines        130    1956            2142
           Co. et al                             Ltd.

11-30609   Paul et al v. Foster Wheeler          Third Attransco Tanker Corp.    168    2013            2185
           Co. et al

11-30614   Pender et al v. A-C Product           National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    96     Not filed on    115
           Liability Trust et al                                                        02-875

11-30614   Pender et al v. A-C Product           Amerada Hess Corp.              97     2037            2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-30615   Perdikis v. A-C Products Liability    Ocean Carriers Corp.            108    1941            132, 134, 2130
           Trust et al

11-30615   Perdikis v. A-C Products Liability    American Overseas Marine        115    1959            133, 2127
           Trust et al                           Corp.

11-30615   Perdikis v. A-C Products Liability    Sheridan Transportation Co.     117    1989            2189
           Trust et al

11-30615   Perdikis v. A-C Products Liability    Ocean Chemical Transport        138    2022            2131
           Trust et al

11-30617   Bartel(Hopkins), et al v. A-C         American Trading & Production   101    1957            2183
           Product Liability Trust et al         Corp.

11-30617   Bartel(Hopkins), et al v. A-C         American Trading & Production   102    1957            2183
           Product Liability Trust et al         Corp.

11-30617   Bartel(Hopkins), et al v. A-C         National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    106    Not filed on
           Product Liability Trust et al                                                02-875          133

11-30617   Bartel(Hopkins), et al v. A-C         Amerada Hess Corp.              108    2037            2186
           Product Liability Trust et al

11-30617   Bartel(Hopkins), et al v. A-C         Perm Attransco Corp.            142    2006            2184
           Product Liability Trust et al

11-30626   Hutchinson v. A-C Product             Ocean Carriers Corporation      98     1941            130, 2130
           Liability Trust et al

11-30626   Hutchinson v. A-C Product             Liberty Maritime Corporation    104    1918            129, 2128
           Liability Trust et al

11-30626   Hutchinson v. A-C Product             American Overseas Marine        110    1959            128, 2127
           Liability Trust et al                 Corp.

11-30650   Johnson v. A-C Product Liability      Mystic Steamship Corporation    141    1976            2129
           Trust et al

11-30650   Johnson v. A-C Product Liability      National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    145    Not filed on    173
           Trust et al                                                                  02-875

11-30650   Johnson v. A-C Product Liability      Amerada Hess Corp.              147    2037            2186
           Trust et al

11-30667   Jordan et al v. A-C Product           American Trading & Production   124    1957            2183
           Liability Trust et al                 Corp.

11-30667   Jordan et al v. A-C Product           Mystic Steamship Corporation    126    1976            2129
           Liability Trust et al

11-30667   Jordan et al v. A-C Product           National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    130    Not filed on    163
           Liability Trust et al                                                        02-875

11-30667   Jordan et al v. A-C Product           Amerada Hess Corp.              131    2037            2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-30681   Kissen et al v. A-C Product           National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    95     Not filed on    119
           Liability Trust et al                                                        02-875

11-30681   Kissen et al v. A-C Product           Amerada Hess Corp.              96     2037            2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-30699   Larson et al v. A-C Product           Transoceanic Cable Ship         125    1990            170
           Liability Trust et al                 Company, Inc.

11-30699   Larson et al v. A-C Product           Ocean Chemical Transport        159    2022            2131
           Liability Trust et al

11-30699   Larson et al v. A-C Product           Ocean Ships, Inc.               109    1924            153, 2132
           Liability Trust et al

11-30699   Larson et al v. A-C Product           American President Lines        119    1956            2142
           Liability Trust et al                 Ltd.

11-30782   Tojino v. A-C Product Liability       American Trading & Production   97     1957            2183
           Trust et al                           Corp.

11-30782   Tojino v. A-C Product Liability       National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    100    Not filed on    117
           Trust et al                                                                  02-875

11-30790   Miller v. A-C Product Liability       Pacific Coast Transport Co.     106    1974            125, 2132
           Trust et al

11-30807   Velazquez et al v. Foster             National Bulk Carriers, Inc.    108    Not filed on    127
           Wheeler Company et al                                                        02-875

11-30807   Velazquez et al v. Foster             Attransco, Inc.                 95     1928            2182
           Wheeler Company et al

11-30823   Ware et al v. Foster Wheeler          American Trading & Production   92     1957            2183
           Company et al                         Corp.

11-30823   Ware et al v. Foster Wheeler          American Trading Transp. Co.    87     1928            2182
           Company et al

11-30845   Williams et al v. Foster              Amerada Hess Corp.              102    2037            2186
           Wheeler Company et al

11-30863   Worsley et al v. A-C Product          Hess Shipping Corporation       185    2035            2187
           Liability Trust et al

11-30863   Worsley et al v. A-C Product              National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            150    Not filed on      175
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-30863   Worsley et al v. A-C Product              American President Lines                144    1956              2142
           Liability Trust et al                     Ltd.

11-30894   Pittaway v. Foster Wheeler                Mystic Steamship Corporation            113    1976              2129
           Company et al

11-30894   Pittaway v. Foster Wheeler                National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            114    Not filed on      138
           Company et al                                                                            02-875

11-30894   Pittaway v. Foster Wheeler                Amerada Hess Corp.                      115    2037              2186
           Company et al

11-30928   Riddick v. A-C Product Liability          American Trading & Production           111    1957              2183
           Trust et al                               Corp.

11-30928   Riddick v. A-C Product Liability          Attransco                               107    1928              2182
           Trust et al

11-30946   Rose et al v. A-C Product Liability       Amerada Hess Corp.                      94     2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-30961   Rodgers et al v. A-C Product              National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            110    Not filed on      138
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-30961   Rodgers et al v. A-C Product              Amerada Hess Corp.                      109    2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-30990   Shaw v. Foster Wheeler Company            Attransco, Inc.                         94     1928              2182
           et al

11-31006   Skinner et al v. Foster Wheeler           American President Lines                76     1956              2142
           Company et al                             Ltd.

11-31006   Skinner et al v. Foster Wheeler           Pacific Coast Transport Co.             77     1974              96, 2131
           Company et al

11-31010   Smith et al v. A-C Product                Energy Transportation Corp.             105    N/A — Filed by   156
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    arty

11-31010   Smith et al v. A-C Product                Ocean Carriers Corporation              106    1941              154, 2130
           Liability Trust et al

11-31010   Smith et al v. A-C Product                Ocean Ships, Inc.                       110    1924              153, 2132
           Liability Trust et al

11-31025   Arceneaux et al v. A-C Product            American Trading & Production           113    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31026   Arespe et al v. A-C Product               American Trading & Production           108    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31026   Arespe et al v. A-C Product               Amerada Hess Corp.                      118    2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-31027   Artis v. A-C Product Liability            National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            116    Not filed on      151
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-31030   Boden et al v. A-C Product                American Trading & Production           116    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31030   Boden et al v. A-C Product                Pacific Coast Transport Co.             119    1974              147, 2132
           Liability Trust et al

11-31056   Catacalos et al v. A-C Product            American Trading & Production           90     1957              2183
           Liability Trust                           Corp.

11-31057   Cintron v. A-C Product Liability          National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            138    Not filed on      164
           Trust                                                                                    02-875

11-31057   Cintron v. A-C Product Liability          Attransco, Inc.                         128    1928              2182
           Trust

11-31070   Schroeder et al v. A-C Product            American Hawaiian S.S. Lines            97     N/A — Filed by   122
           Liability Trust                                                                          atty

11-31070   Schroeder et al v. A-C Product            Weyerhaeuser                            101    1962              2143, 124
           Liability Trust

11-31070   Schroeder et al v. A-C Product            American President Lines                100    1956              2142
           Liability Trust                           Ltd.

11-31088   Trahan et al v. A-C Product               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            134    Not filed on      159
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31088   Trahan et al v. A-C Product               Attransco, Inc.                         124    1928              2182
           Liability Trust et al

11-31088   Trahan et al v. A-C Product               Amerada Hess Corp.                      133    2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-31152   Resendez et al v. A-C Product             National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            101    Not filed on      128
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31218   Cruz v. A-C Product Liability             American President Lines                99     1956              2142
           Trust et al                               Ltd.

11-31218   Cruz v. A-C Product Liability             Amerada Hess Corp.                      101    2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-31226   Hartwell et al v. Foster                  American Trading & Production           117    1957              2183
           Wheeler Company et al                     Corp.

11-31226   Hartwell et al v. Foster                  National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            123    Not filed on      153
           Wheeler Company et al                                                                    02-875

11-31226   Hartwell et al v. Foster                  Amerada Hess Corp.                      125    2037              2186
           Wheeler Company et al

11-31227   Potts et al v. A-C Product                American Trading & Production           79     1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31227   Potts et al v. A-C Product                Mystic Steamship Corporation            80     1976              2129
           Liability Trust et al

11-31227   Potts et al v. A-C Product                Amerada Hess Corp.                      82     2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-31245   Hoisington et al v. A-C Product           American Trading Transp. Co.            68     1928              2182
           Liability Trust et al

11-31272   Bright et al v. A-C Product               American President Lines                92     1956              2142
           Liability Trust et al                     Ltd.

11-31288   Avakian et al v. A-C Product              National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            106    Not filed on      127
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31354   Monteiro et al v. A-C Product             Eastern Gas & Fuel                      91     1983              2177
           Liability Trust et al

11-31365   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            114    Not filed on      140
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-31486   Edwards v. A-C Product Liability          National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            124    Not filed on      151
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-31496   Fowler et al v. A-C Product               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            140    Not filed on      173
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31496   Fowler et al v. A-C Product               Amerada Hess Corp.                      143    2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-31509   Gilliam v. A-C Product Liability          American Trading Transp. Co.            92     1928              2182
           Trust et al

11-31527   Hardy v. A-C Product Liability            Ocean Carriers Corporation              107    1941              135, 137, 2130
           Trust et al

11-31527   Hardy v. A-C Product Liability            American Overseas Marine                116    1959              134, 2127
           Trust et al                               Corp.

11-31527   Hardy v. A-C Product Liability            Ocean Chemical Transport                140    2022              2131
           Trust et al

11-31527   Hardy v. A-C Product Liability            Ocean Ships, Inc.                       110    1924              136, 2132
           Trust et al

11-31528   Harmond et al v. A-C Product              American Trading & Production           88     1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31528   Harmond et al v. A-C Product              Amerada Hess Corp.                      96     2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-31558   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            95     Not filed on      118
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-31561   Koep et al v. A-C Product                 Weyerhaeuser                            116    1962              2143, 135
           Liability Trust et al

11-31561   Koep et al v. A-C Product                 Transoceanic Cable Ship                 120    1990              143
           Liability Trust et al                     Company, Inc.

11-31561   Koep et al v. A-C Product                 American President Lines                114    1956              2142
           Liability Trust et al                     Ltd.

11-31567   Lett et al v. A-C Product Liability       Amerada Hess Corp.                      84     2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-31585   Mccall v. Foster Wheeler                  American Trading & Production           88     1957              2183
           Company et al                             Corp.

11-31587   Mcchristian v. A-C Products               American Trading & Production           103    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31587   Mcchristian v. A-C Products               Attransco                               99     1928              2182
           Liability Trust, et al

11-31589   Mcdonald et al v. A-C Product             American President Lines                109    1956              2142
           Liability Trust et al                     Ltd.

11-31622   Jewell et al v. A-C Product               American Trading & Production           84     1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31623   Costello et al v. A-C Product             American Trading & Production           79     1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31669   Stratton v. A-C Product Liability         Amerada Hess Corp.                      142    2037              2186
           Trust, et al.

11-31717   Johnson v. Foster Wheeler                 Amerada Hess Corp.                      92     2037              2186
           Company et al

11-31737   Pagliango et al v. A-C Product            National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            93     Not filed on      116
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31737   Pagliango et al v. A-C Product            Standard Fruit & Ss Co.                 85     1934              115, 2134
           Liability Trust et al

11-31748   Taman v. Foster Wheeler                   American Trading & Production           115    1957              2183
           Company et al                             Corp.

11-31748   Taman v. Foster Wheeler                   National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            119    Not filed on      149
           Company et al                                                                            02-875

11-31748   Taman v. Foster Wheeler                   Amerada Hess Corp.                      118    2037              2186
           Company et al

11-31809   Fields v. A-C Product Liability           American Trading & Production           137    1957              2183
           Trust et al                               Corp.

11-31809   Fields v. A-C Product Liability           National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            140    Not filed on      163
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-31809   Fields v. A-C Product Liability           American Trading Transp. Co.            128    1928              2182
           Trust et al

11-31809   Fields v. A-C Product Liability           Eastern Gas & Fuel                      138    1983              2177
           Trust et al

11-31823   Williams et al v. A-C Product             American Trading & Production           103    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31823   Williams et al v. A-C Product             American Trading Transp. Co.            97     1928              2182
           Liability Trust et al

11-31823   Williams et al v. A-C Product             Amerada Hess Corp.                      105    2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-31828   Briggs et al v. A-C Product               American Trading & Production           166    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31828   Briggs et al v. A-C Product               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            170    Not filed on      202
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31837   Wilcox et al v. A-C Product               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            141    Not filed on      163
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31853   Perez et al v. A-C Product                American Hawaiian S.S. Lines            109    N/A — Filed by   142, 143
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    atty

11-31853   Perez et al v. A-C Product                American President Lines                116    1956              2142
           Liability Trust et al                     Ltd.

11-31853   Perez et al v. A-C Product                Amerada Hess Corp.                      120    2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-31855   Highsmith et al v. A-C Product            American Trading & Production           99     1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31858   Marks et al v. Fibreboard                 American President Lines                98     1956              2142
           Corporation et al                         Ltd.

11-31861   Marrero et al v. Fibreboard               Amerada Hess Corp.                      84     2037              2186
           Corporation et al

11-31864   Dallas et al v. A-C Product               Hess Shipping Corporation               119    2035              2187
           Liability Trust et al

11-31868   Greasham et al v. A-C Product             Attransco                               102    1928              2182
           Liability Trust et al

11-31868   Greasham et al v. A-C Product             Amerada Hess Corp.                      108    2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-31871   Laware et al v. A-C Product               American Trading & Production           69     1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31871   Laware et al v. A-C Product               American Trading Transp. Co.            68     1928              2182
           Liability Trust et al

11-31871   Laware et al v. A-C Product               Penn Attransco Corp.                    94     2006              2184
           Liability Trust et al

11-31876   Greer et al v. A-C Product                American Trading & Production           98     1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp

11-31876   Greer et al v. A-C Product                Mystic Steamship Corporation            99     1976              2129
           Liability Trust et al

11-31876   Greer et al v. A-C Product                American Trading Transp. Co.            94     1928              2182
           Liability Trust et al

11-31876   Greer et al v. A-C Product                Eastern Gas & Fuel                      100    1983              2177
           Liability Trust et al

11-31876   Greer et al v. A-C Product                Amerada Hess Corp.                      102    2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-31879   Johnson et al v. A-C Product              American Trading & Production           115    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31879   Johnson et al v. A-C Product              American Overseas Marine                116    1959              144, 2127
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31879   Johnson et al v. A-C Product              National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            120    Not filed on      145
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31879   Johnson et al v. A-C Product              Amerada Hess Corp.                      122    2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-31880   Manuel et al v. A-C Product               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            115    Not filed on      135
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31888   Gordon et al v. A-C Product               American Trading & Production           118    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31888   Gordon et al v. A-C Product               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            121    Not filed on      148
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31900   Gilyard v. A-C Product Liability          Amerada Hess Corp.                      100    2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-31901   Hooten et al v. A-C Product               American Trading & Production           119    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31901   Hooten et al v. A-C Product               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            121    Not filed on      158
           Liability Trust et al                                             02-875

11-31901   Hooten et al v. A-C Product               Amerada Hess Corp.                      124    2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-31912   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            112    Not filed on      141
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-31912   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           American Trading Transp. Co.            100    1928              2182
           Trust et al

11-31912   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           Amerada Hess Corp.                      113    2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-31912   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           Perm Attransco Corp.                    152    2006              2184
           Trust et al

11-31916   Groover et al v. A-C Product              American Trading & Production           109    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31916   Groover et al v. A-C Product              Attransco                               105    1928              2182
           Liability Trust et al

11-31919   Dew et al v. A-C Product Liability        National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            112    Not filed on      136
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-31919   Dew et al v. A-C Product Liability        American Trading Transp. Co.            105    1928              2182
           Trust et al

11-31928   Reber et al v. A-C Product                American Trading & Production           80     1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-31928   Reber et al v. A-C Product                Mystic Steamship Corporation            81     1976              2129
           Liability Trust et al

11-31928   Reber et al v. A-C Product                Eastern Gas & Fuel                      82     1983              2177
           Liability Trust et al

11-31934   De La Fuente et al v. A-C                 American Trading & Production           103    1957              2183
           Product Liability Trust et al             Corp.

11-31934   De La Fuente et al v. A-C                 First Attransco Tanker Corp.            139    2001              141
           Product Liability Trust et al

11-31934   De La Fuente et al v. A-C                 National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            108    Not filed on      129
           Product Liability Trust et al                                                            02-875

11-31934   De La Fuente et al v. A-C                 Attransco                               97     1928              2182
           Product Liability Trust et al

11-31944   Taylor et al v. A-C Product               Mystic Steamship Corporation            98     1976              2129
           Liability Trust et al

11-31944   Taylor et al v. A-C Product               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            102    Not filed on      125
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32017   Gonzalez v. A-C Product Laibility         Amerada Hess Corp.                      109    2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-32030   Twohig v. A-C Product Liability           Amerada Hess Corp.                      101    2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-32033   Duarte v. A-C Product Liability           Mystic Steamship Corporation            128    1976              2129
           Trust et al

11-32033   Duarte v. A-C Product Liability           American Trading Transp. Co.            120    1928              2182
           Trust et al

11-32033   Duarte v. A-C Product Liability           Martha's Vineyard And Nantucket         123    1917              149, 2135
           Trust et al

11-32033   Duarte v. A-C Product Liability           Amerada Hess Corp.                      131    2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-32041   Sodders v. A-C Product Liability          American Trading & Production           92     1957              2183
           Trust et al                               Corp.

11-32041   Sodders v. A-C Product Liability          American President Lines                91     1956              2142
           Trust et al                               Ltd.

11-32044   Thompson v. A-C Product Liability         Amerada Hess Corp.                      97     2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-32061   Bruhl, et al v. A-C Product               American Trading & Production           100    1957              2183
           Liability Trust, et al                    Corp.

11-32061   Bruhl, et al v. A-C Product               Mystic Steamship Corporation            101    1976              2129
           Liability Trust, et al

11-32061   Bruhl, et al v. A-C Product               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            103    Not filed on      127
           Liability Trust, et al                                                                   02-875

11-32061   Bruhl, et al v. A-C Product               Amerada Hess Corp.                      105    2037              2186
           Liability Trust, et al

11-32064   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            98     Not filed on      122
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-32064   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           American Trading Transp. Co.            88     1928              2182
           Trust et al

11-32064   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           Penn Attransco Corp.                    131    2006              2184
           Trust et al

11-32065   Thomas v. A-C Product Liability           American Trading & Production           113    1957              2183
           Trust, et al                              Corp.

11-32065   Thomas v. A-C Product Liability           Mystic Steamship Corporation            114    1976              2129
           Trust, et al

11-32065   Thomas v. A-C Product Liability           National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            124    Not filed on      154
           Trust, et al                                                                             02-875

11-32065   Thomas v. A-C Product Liability           Amerada Hess Corp.                      122    2037              2186
           Trust, et al

11-32071   Donnell v. A-C Product Liability          American Trading Transp. Co.            81     1928              2182
           Trust et al

11-32071   Donnell v. A-C Product Liability          Amerada Hess Corp.                      95     2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-32085   Lane et al v. A-C Product                 American Trading Transp. Co.            89     1928              2182
           Liability Trust et al

11-32136   Bagby et al v. A-C Product                National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            121    Not filed on      151
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32137   Clemmons et al v. A-C Product             Mystic Steamship Corporation            102    1976              2129
           Liability Trust et al

11-32137   Clemmons et al v. A-C Product             Weyerhaeuser                            103    1962              2143,118
           Liability Trust et al

11-32137   Clemmons et al v. A-C Product             American President Lines                101    1956              2142
           Liability Trust et al                     Ltd.

11-32142   Whalen et al v. A-C Product               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.           88      Not filed on      112
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32154   Macqueston v. A-C Product                 American Trading & Production          70      1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-32174   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           Amerada Hess Corp.                     74      2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-32177   Sullivan et al v. A-C Product             National Bulk Carriers, Inc.           106     Not filed on      128
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32185   Manuel et al v. A-C Product               American Trading & Production          106     1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-32185   Manuel et al v. A-C Product               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            111    Not filed on      141
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32186   Davis et al v. A-C Product                Amerada Hess Corp.                      100    2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-32199   Wynne et al v. A-C Product                Weyerhaeuser                            71     1962              2143,83
           Liability Trust et al

11-32232   Worthy v. A-C Product Liability           American Trading & Production           127    1957              2183
           Trust et al                               Corp.

11-32232   Worthy v. A-C Product Liability           American President Lines                125    1956              2142
           Trust et al                               Ltd.

11-32232   Worthy v. A-C Product Liability           Amerada Hess Corp.                      131    2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-32247   Guyton et al v. A-C Product               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            131    Not filed on      156
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32255   Ferrari v. A-C Product Liability          Amerada Hess Corp.                      119    2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-32278   Suits v. A-C Product Liability            National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            115    Not filed on      144
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-32278   Suits v. A-C Product Liability            Eastern Gas & Fuel                      108    1983              2177
           Trust et al

11-32292   Da Costa et al v. A-C Product             Mystic Steamship Corporation            123    1976              2129
           Liability Trust et al

11-32292   Da Costa et al v. A-C Product             National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            126    Not filed on      158
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32292   Da Costa et al v. A-C Product             Eastern Gas & Fuel                      124    1983              2177
           Liability Trust et al

11-32293   Orchard et al v. A-C Product              American Trading & Production           101    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-32293   Orchard et al v. A-C Product              Attransco, Inc.                         94     1928              2182
           Liability Trust et al

11-32293   Orchard et al v. A-C Product              Amerada Hess Corp.                      108    2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-32309   Wilson et al v. A-C Product               Amerada Hess Corp.                      83     2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-32318   Larsen et al v. A-C Product               American Trading & Production           108    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-32346   Henry v. A-C Product Liability            National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            87     Not filed on      111
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-32369   Martell v. A-C Product Liability          National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            90     Not filed on      107
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-32371   Haas et al v. A-C Product                 National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            87     Not filed on      109
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32376   Elliott et al v. A-C Product              National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            91     Not filed on      107
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32391   Richardson v. A-C Product                 American Trading & Production           125    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-32391   Richardson v. A-C Product                 Transoceanic Cable Ship                 131    1990              154
           Liability Trust et al                     Company, Inc.

11-32391   Richardson v. A-C Product                 Amerada Hess Corp.                      128    2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-32560   Steptoe et al v. A-C Product              American Trading & Production           107    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-32560   Steptoe et al v. A-C Product              Attransco, Inc.                         102    1928              2182
           Liability Trust et al

11-32579   Bourbon et al v. A-C Product              Amerada Hess Corp.                      67     2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-32594   Woods et al v. A-C Product                National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            115    Not filed on      147
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32598   Guidry et al v. A-C Product               American Trading & Production           81     1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-32601   Ingebretsen v. A-C Product                American President Lines                90     1956              2142
           Liability Trust et al                     Ltd.

11-32601   Ingebretsen v. A-C Product                Pacific Coast Transport Co.             92     1974              118,2132
           Liability Trust et al

11-32653   Grossman et al v. A-C Product             National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            97     Not filed on      124
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32658   Hardy et al v. American Eagle             American Trading & Production          120     1957              2183
           Tanker et al                              Corp.

11-32658   Hardy et al v. American Eagle             Eastern Gas & Fuel                      121    1983              2177
           Tanker et al

11-32658   Hardy et al v. American Eagle             Amerada Hess Corp.                      124    2037              2186
           Tanker et al

11-32660   Brown et al v. A-C Product                American Trading & Production           100    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-32665   Jones et al v. A-C Product                Mystic Steamship Corporation            84     1976              2129
           Liability Trust et al

11-32665   Jones et al v. A-C Product                Eastern Gas & Fuel                      85     1983              2177
           Liability Trust et al

11-32665   Jones et al v. A-C Product                Amerada Hess Corp.                      91     2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-32673   Odom et al v. Foster Wheeler              American Trading Transp. Co.            85     1928              2182
           Energy Corporation et al

11-32673   Odom et al v. Foster Wheeler              Amerada Hess Corp.                      92     2037              2186
           Energy Corporation et al

11-32679   Bise et al v. A-C Product Liability       American Trading & Production           108    1957              2183
           Trust et al                               Corp.

11-32679   Bise et al v. A-C Product Liability       National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            112    Not filed on      146
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-32679   Bise et al v. A-C Product Liability       Eastern Gas & Fuel                      110    1983              2177
           Trust et al

11-32679   Bise et al v. A-C Product Liability       Amerada Hess Corp.                      116    2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-32702   Hammons et al v. A-C Product              American Trading & Production           78     1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-32737   Reed et al v. Foster Wheeler              National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            99     Not filed on      116
           Company et al                                                                            02-875

11-32737   Reed et al v. Foster Wheeler              Attransco, Incorporated                 91     1928              2182
           Company et al

11-32764   Todd et al v. Foster Wheeler              Amerada Hess Corp.                      96     2037              2186
           Company et al

11-32774   Schroeder et al v. Acands, Inc.           American Trading & Production           137    1957              2183
           et al                                     Corp.

11-32774   Schroeder et al v. Acands, Inc.           Mystic Steamship Corporation            140    1976              2129
           et al

11-32774   Schroeder et al v. Acands, Inc.           Attransco, Inc.                         129    1928              2182
           et al

11-32774   Schroeder et al v. Acands, Inc.           American President Lines                138    1956              2142
           et al                                     Ltd.

11-32774   Schroeder et al v. Acands, Inc.           Eastern Gas & Fuel                      142    1983              2177
           et al

11-32774   Schroeder et al v. Acands, Inc.           National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            147    Not filed on      180
           et al                                                                                    02-875

11-32774   Schroeder et al v. Acands, Inc.           Amerada Hess Corp.                      148    2037              2186
           et al

11-32798   Passmore et al v. Foster                  American Trading & Production           115    1957              2183
           Wheeler Company et al                     Corp.

11-32798   Passmore et al v. Foster                  Attransco, Inc.                         110    1928              2182
           Wheeler Company et al

11-32813   Rumph et al v. Amercargo                  Amerada Hess Corp.                      88     2037              2186
           Inc. et al

11-32827   Miller v. A.P. Green Industries,          American Trading & Production           108    1957              2183
           Inc. et al                                Corp.

11-32827   Miller v. A.P. Green Industries,          National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            113    Not filed on      140
           Inc. et al                                                                               02-875

11-32859   Collins v. Albatross Steamship            Amerada Hess Corp.                      73     2037              2186
           Co. et al

11-32861   Wells et al v. Acands, Inc. et            American Trading Transp. Co.            86     1928              2182
           al

11-32883   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           Amerada Hess Corp.                      92     2037              2186
           Trust et al

11-32901   Kennedy et al v. A-C Product              American Trading & Production           100    1957              2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-32901   Kennedy et al v. A-C Product              Amerada Hess Corp.                      105    2037              2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-32909   Cook et al v. Acands, Inc. et al          American Trading & Production           108    1957              2183
                                                     Corp.

11-32909   Cook et al v. Acands, Inc. et al          Eastern Gas & Fuel                      110    1983              2177

11-32943   Bruce et al v. Luckenbach International   American Trading & Production           118    1957              2183
           Corp. et al Corp.

11-32976   Moody et al v. American Oil               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            124    Not filed on      148
           Co. et al                                                                                02-875

11-32984   Kempton et al v. Foster                   American Trading & Production           116    1957              2183
           Wheeler Company et al                     Corp.

11-33009   Rodriquez-Dias et al v.                   American Trading & Production           124    1957              2183
           Acands, Inc. et al                        Corp.

11-33009   Rodriquez-Dias et al v.                   National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            128    Not filed on      152
           Acands, Inc. et al                                                                       02-875

11-33009   Rodriquez-Dias et al v.                   Amerada Hess Corp.                      129    2037              2186
           Acands, Inc. et al

11-33034   Daniels et al v. Foster Wheeler           Attransco, Incorporated                 94     1928              2182
           Company et al

11-33043   Brathwaite et al v. American              American Trading & Production           119    1957              2183
           Foreign Lines et al                       Corp.

11-33043   Brathwaite et al v. American              American Trading Transp. Co.            111    1928              2182
           Foreign Lines et al

11-33047   Gillikin et al v. Alcoa et al             Weyerhaeuser                            119    1962              2143, 140

11-33047   Gillikin et al v. Alcoa et al             American President Lines                116    1956              2142
           Ltd.

11-33116   Biasi et al v. A-C Product Liability      National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            83     Not filed on      110
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-33141   Yglesias et al v. Amerada                 American Trading & Production           88     1957            2183
           Hess Corp. et al                          Corp.

11-33141   Yglesias et al v. Amerada                 American Trading Transp. Co.            83     1928            2182
           Hess Corp. et al

11-33141   Yglesias et al v. Amerada                 Amerada Hess Corp.                      91     2037            2186
           Hess Corp. et al

11-33155   Price et al v. Foster Wheeler             American Trading & Production           124    1957            2183
           Company et al                             Corp.

11-33155   Price et al v. Foster Wheeler             National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            128    Not filed on    158
           Company et al                                                                            02-875

11-33155   Price et al v. Foster Wheeler             American President Lines                125    1956            2142
           Company et al                             Ltd.

11-33165   Sutherland v. A-C Product                 National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            142    Not filed on    168
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-33173   Ferrell v. Foster Wheeler                 Amerada Hess Corp.                      94     2037            2186
           Company et al

11-33182   Hadsock v. A-C Product Liability          American Trading Transp. Co.            93     1928            2182
           Trust et al

11-33182   Hadsock v. A-C Product Liability          Amerada Hess Corp.                      107    2037            2186
           Trust et al

11-33182   Hadsock v. A-C Product Liability          Third Attransco Tanker Corp.            132    2013            2185
           Trust et al

11-33240   Linscomb et al v. Albatross               American Trading & Production           88     1957            2183
           Steamship Co. et al                       Corp.

11-33240   Linscomb et al v. Albatross               Amerada Hess Corp.                      91     2037            2186
           Steamship Co. et al

11-33273   King et al v. A-C Product Liability       Amerada Hess Corp.                      80     2037            2186
           Trust et al

11-33294   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           Amerada Hess Corp.                      78     2037            2186
           Trust et al

11-33310   Creighton v. Acands, Inc. et al           American Trading & Production           56     1957            2183
                                                     Corp.

11-33310   Creighton v. Acands, Inc. et al           Amerada Hess Corp.                      58     2037            2186

11-33363   Glover Et. Al. v. Foster                  National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            86     Not filed on    106
           Wheeler Company Et. Al.                                                                  02-875

11-33363   Glover Et. Al. v. Foster                  Amerada Hess Corp.                      88     2037            2186
           Wheeler Company Et. Al.

11-33457   Artis et al v. A-C Product                National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            98     Not filed on    124
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-33458   Trampe et al v. A-C Product               National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            106    Not filed on    125
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-33470   Watson v. Westchester Marine              American Trading & Production           84     1957            2183
           Inc. et al                                Corp.

11-33470   Watson v. Westchester Marine              National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            87     Not filed on    110
           Inc. et al                                                                               02-875

11-33470   Watson v. Westchester Marine              American Trading Transp. Co.            78     1928            2182
           Inc. et al

11-33478   Grant et al v. A-C Product                Weyerhaeuser                            95     1962            2143, 108
           Liability Trust et al

11-33478   Grant et al v. A-C Product                American President Lines                93     1956            2142
           Liability Trust et al                     Ltd.

11-33487   Allen v. Foster Wheeler Company           Mystic Steamship Corporation            112    1976            2129
           et al

11-33487   Allen v. Foster Wheeler Company           National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            115    Not filed on    147
           et al                                                                                    02-875

11-33487   Allen v. Foster Wheeler Company           American Trading Transp. Co.            104    1928            2182
           et al

11-33487   Allen v. Foster Wheeler Company           Eastern Gas & Fuel                      114    1983            2177
           et al

11-33487   Allen v. Foster Wheeler Company           Amerada Hess Corp.                      120    2037            2186
           et al

11-33499   Branch et al v. American Export           Mystic Steamship Corporation            88     1976            2129
           Isbrandtsen et al

11-33499   Branch et al v. American Export           American Trading Transp. Co.            83     1928            2182
           Isbrandtsen et al

11-33499   Branch et al v. American Export           Eastern Gas & Fuel                      89     1983            2177
           Isbrandtsen et al

11-33499   Branch et al v. American Export           National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            91     Not filed on    121
           Isbrandtsen et al                                                                        02-875

11-33506   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           American President Lines                72     1956            2142
           Trust et al                               Ltd.

11-33516   Smith et al v. Acands, Inc. et            National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            103    N/A—Filed by    150
           al                                                                                       atty

11-33516   Smith et al v. Acands, Inc. et            Amerada Hess Corp.                      115    2037            2186
           al

11-33520   Hansen v. Acands, Inc. et al              American Trading & Production           62     1957            2183
                                                     Corp.

11-33520   Hansen v. Acands, Inc. et al              Weyerhaeuser                            66     1962            2143, 86

11-33520   Hansen v. Acands, Inc. et al              Amerada Hess Corp.                      67     2037            2186

11-33566   Marsonek et al v. A-C Product             National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            86     Not filed on    107
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-33566   Marsonek et al v. A-C Product             Amerada Hess Corp.                      87     2037            2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-33579   Scott et al v. A-C Product                American Trading & Production           73     1957            2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-33593   Osborne v. A-C Product Liability          Eastern Gas & Fuel                      76     1983            2177
           Trust et al

11-33620   Darling et al v. A-C Product              National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            116    Not filed on    151
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-33620   Darling et al v. A-C Product              Amerada Hess Corp.                      122    2037            2186
           Liability Trust et al

11-33623   Damon, Sr. v. A-C Product                 American Trading & Production           89     1957            2183
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp.

11-33705   Scott v. Amerada Hess Corp.               Amerada Hess Corp.                      103    2037            2186
           et al

11-33773   Francisco O. Torres et al v.              Amerada Hess Corp.                      101    2037            2186
           Amerada Hess Corp. et al

11-33773   Torres et al v. Amerada Hess              Attransco                               97     1928            2182
           Corp. et al

11-33797   Menendez et al v. American                Attransco                               77     1928            2182
           Export Lines Inc. et al

11-33797   Menendez et al v. American                Amerada Hess Corp.                      85     2037            2186
           Export Lines Inc. et al

11-33799   Preston et al v. ACS Industries,          National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            90     Not filed on    121
           Inc. et al                                                                               02-875

11-33799   Preston et al v. ACS Industries,          Amerada Hess Corp.                      91     2037            2186
           Inc. et al

11-33850   Clark et al v. Amoco Shipping             Victory Carriers Inc.                   83     49              102
           Co. et al

11-33872   Washington et al v. A-C Product           American Trading Transp. Co.            69     1928            2182
           Liability Trust et al

11-33937   Smith v. A-C Product Liability            American Trading Transp. Co.            107    1928            2182
           Trust et al

11-33937   Smith v. A-C Product Liability            Amerada Hess Corp.                      115    2037            2186
           Trust et al

11-41832   Christopher v. A-C Product                Amerada Hess Corp.                      69     2037            2186
           Liability Trust

11-55427   Mcdougall v. Foster Wheeler               Amerada Hess Corp.                      73     2037            2186
           Company

11-55853   Ramirez v. A-C Product Liability          National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            89     Not filed on    112
           Trust                                                                                    02-875

11-55853   Ramirez v. A-C Product Liability          Amerada Hess Corp.                      90     2037            2186
           Trust

11-56823   Bradwell et al v. A-C Product             American Trading & Production           71     1957            2183
           Liability Trust                           Corp.

11-56823   Bradwell et al v. A-C Product             Mystic Steamship Corporation            72     1976            2129
           Liability Trust

11-56823   Bradwell et al v. A-C Product             National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            73     Not filed on    104
           Liability Trust                                                                          02-875

11-56823   Bradwell et al v. A-C Product             Amerada Hess Corp.                      77     2037            2186
           Liability Trust

11-56886   Renfro Sr. et al v. A-C Product           Amerada Hess Corp.                      80     2037            2186
           Liability Trust

11-58359   Kirkland v. A-C Product Liability         National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            112    Not filed on    137
           Trust                                                                                    02-875

11-58359   Kirkland v. A-C Product Liability         American Trading Transp. Co.            103    1928            2182
           Trust

11-58359   Kirkland v. A-C Product Liability         American President Lines                109    1956            2142
           Trust                                     Ltd.

11-58643   Alexander et al v. Foster                 National Bulk Carriers, Inc.            75     Not filed on    95
           Wheeler Company                                                                          02-875

11-58643   Alexander et al v. Foster                 Eastern Gas & Fuel                      73     1983            2177
           Wheeler Company

11-58643   Alexander et al v. Foster                 Amerada Hess Corp.                      77     2037            2186
           Wheeler Company

                                                       EXHIBIT B

                                                                                                    02-875
                                                                                                    Corresponding   Corresponding
Case                                                                                         Doc.   Entry for       Response
Number     Caption                                   Filed By                                No.    Motion          Entry

09-30270   Vetsikas v. A-C Product Liability         Arco Arco Marine Inc. Arco              113    Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                               Transportion Atlantic Richfield                02-875
                                                     Co.

09-30303   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           Atlantic Refining Company               145    Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                               Atlantic Richfield Co.                         02-875

09-91137   Battel (Clements) et al v. A-C            Sinclair Refining Company               131    Not filed on    2061
           Product Liability Trust et al                                                            02-875

09-91201   Peebles (Lofton) et al v. A-C             Atlantic Richfield Co.                  102    Not filed on    2061
           Product Liability Trust et al                                                            02-875

10-30028   Perna v. A-C Product Liability            Arco Arco Marine Inc. Arco              82     Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                               Transportion Atlantic Richfield                02-875
                                                     Co.

10-30040   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           Atlantic Refining Company               110    Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-30132   Batura v. A-C Product Liability           Arco Marine Inc. Arco Transportion      101    Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                               Atlantic Richfield Co.                         02-875

11-30186   Brown v. Foster Wheeler                   Sinclair Refining Company               96     Not filed on    2061
           Company et al                                                                            02-875

11-30210   Campagnini et al v. A-C                   Sinclair Refining Company               119    Not filed on    2061
           Product Liability Trust et al                                                            02-875

11-30253   Fexer et al v. A-C Product                Sinclair Refining Company               160    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-30283   Gallegos et al v. A-C Product             Sinclair Refining Company               109    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-30322   Cutting et al v. A-C Product              Arco Arco Marine Inc. Arco              86     Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Transportion Atlantic Richfield                02-875
                                                     Co.

11-30332   Davis et al v. Foster Wheeler             Conoco Inc. Continental                 120    Not filed on    2061
           Co. et al                                 Steamship Co. Sinclair Oil                     02-875
                                                     Corp. Sinclair Refining Comnany

11-30347   Dempster v. A-C Product Liability         Conoco Inc. Continental                 92     Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                               Steamship Co.                                  02-875

11-30370   Gomes et al v. A-C Product                Conoco Inc. Conoco Marine               122    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Corp. Pocahantas Steamship                     02-875
                                                     Company Sinclair Refining
                                                     Company

11-30394   Guillory et al v. A-C Product             Sinclair Refining Company               124    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-30411   Hardeman et al v. Foster                  Sinclair Oil Company                    125    Not filed on    2061
           Wheeler Company et al                                                                    02-875

11-30417   Hart et al v. A-C Product Liability       Conoco Inc. Continental                 128    Not filed on    2061
           Trust                                     Steamship Co.                                  02-875

11-30432   Hernandez et al v. A-C Product            Sinclair Oil Company Sinclair           137    Not filed on    2061
           Liabiility Trust et al                    Oil Corp. Sinclair Refining                    02-875
                                                     Company
11-30443 Holmes et al v. A-C Product Sinclair Refining Company 96 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-30460 Elliott v. Foster Wheeler Conoco Inc. Pocahantas 119 Not filed on 2061 Company et al Steamship Company Sinclair 02-875 Refining Company 11-30463 Enfinger v. A-C Product Liability Conoco Inc. Continental 92 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al Steamship Co. 02-875 11-30464 English et al v. Foster Wheeler Conoco Inc. Pocahantas 97 Not filed on 2061 Company et al Steamship Company Sinclair 02-875 Refining Company 11-30482 Martin v. A-C Product Liability Sinclair Refining Company 90 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al 02-875 11-30485 Martinez v. A-C Product Liability Sinclair Oil Company Sinclair 130 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al Refining Company 02-875 11-30491 Mccabe et al v. A-C Product Richfield Oil Corporation 113 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-30506 Mcgee v. A-C Product Liability Atlantic Refining Company 91 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al 02-875 11-30509 Mckaig v. A-C Product Liability Atlantic Refining Company 100 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al 02-875 11-30601 Palys v. A-C Product Liability Arco Arco Marine Inc. 104 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al 02-875 11-30608 Pasilong v. A-C Product Liability Atlantic Richfield Co. 92 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al 02-875 11-30609 Paul et al v. Foster Wheeler Sinclair Refining Company 140 Not filed on 2061 Co. et al 02-875 11-30617 Bartel(Hopkins), et al v. A-C Sinclair Refining Company 114 Not filed on 2061 Product Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-30650 Johnson v. A-C Product Liability Sinclair Refining Company 152 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al 02-875 11-30667 Jordan et al v. A-C Product Sinclair Refining Company 139 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-30699 Larson et al v. A-C Product Richfield Oil Corporation 129 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-30754 Stigler v. A-C Product Liability Sinclair Oil Corp. 138 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al 02-875 11-30788 Truesdell et al v. A-C Product Sinclair Refining Company 118 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-30827 Waters et al v. Foster Wheeler Pocahantas Steamship Company 101 Not filed on 2061 Company et al Sinclair Refining Company 02-875 11-30835 Welty et al v. A-C Product Richfield Oil Corporation 93 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-30863 Worsley et al v. A-C Product Sinclair Refining Company 154 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-30893 Pires v. A-C Product Liability Arco Marine Inc. 107 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al 02-875 11-30909 Quinones et al v. A-C Product Conoco Inc. Pocahantas 77 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al Steamship Company 02-875 11-30916 Raines et al v. Foster Wheeler Sinclair Refining Company 80 Not filed on 2061 Company et al 02-875 11-30941 Miller et al v. A-C Product Sinclair Refining Company 115 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-30961 Rodgers et al v. A-C Product Pocahantas Steamship Company 115 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-31010 Smith et al v. A-C Product Atlantic Refining Company 134 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-31014 Smith v. A-C Product Liability Sinclair Oil Corp. 112 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al 02-875 11-31025 Arceneaux et al v. A-C Product Sinclair Refining Company 120 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-31026 Arespe et al v. A-C Product Sinclair Oil Company Sinclair 122 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al Refining Company 02-875 11-31027 Artis v. A-C Product Liability Conoco Inc. Pocahantas 125 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al Steamship Company Sinclair 02-875 Refining Company 11-31030 Boden et al v. A-C Product Atlantic Refining Company 125 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-31047 Carlson et al v. A-C Product Atlantic Refining Company 89 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-31056 Catacalos et al v. A-C Product Sinclair Refining Company 96 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust 02-875 11-31088 Trahan et al v. A-C Product Sinclair Refining Company 138 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-31105 Woodson et al v. A-C Product Sinclair Refining Company 94 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-31152 Resendez et al v. A-C Product Conoco Inc. Continental 106 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al Steamship Co. 02-875 11-31198 Flores v. A-C Product Liability Pocahantas Steamship Company 86 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al 02-875 11-31226 Hartwell et al v. Foster Sinclair Oil Corp. Sinclair Refining 130 Not filed on 2061 Wheeler Company et al Company 02-875 11-31286 Fruge et al v. A-C Product Continental Steamship Co. 103 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al Sinclair Refining Company 02-875 11-31308 Mcdade v. A-C Product Liability Sinclair Refining Company 69 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al 02-875 11-31365 Miller v. A-C Product Liability Conoco Inc. Continental Oil 122 Not filed on 2061 Trust et al Company Harcon S.S. Co., 02-875 Inc. Sinclair Refining Company 11-31496 Fowler et al v. A-C Product Conoco Inc. Continental 149 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al Steamship Co. Sinclair Oil 02-875 Corp. Sinclair Refining Company 11-31497 Freeman et al v. A-C Product Atlantic Refining Company 117 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al 02-875 11-31528 Harmond et al v. A-C Product Conoco Inc. Continental Oil 100 Not filed on 2061 Liability Trust et al Company Sinclair Refining 02-875 Company

11-31558   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           Sinclair Refining Company               100    Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-31669   Stratton v. A-C Product Liability         Sinclair Refining Company               146    Not filed on    2061
           Trust, et al.                                                                            02-875

11-31728   Guy et al v. A-C Product Liability        Sinclair Refining Company               89     Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-31734   Atson et al v. A-C Product                Sinclair Refining Company               99     Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31748   Taman v. Foster Wheeler                   Sinclair Refining Company               124    Not filed on    2061
           Company et al                                                                            02-875

11-31828   Briggs et al v. A-C Product               Richfield Oil Corporation               178    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31837   Wilcox et al v. A-C Product               Conoco Inc. Continental                 144    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Steamship Co.                                  02-875

11-31853   Perez et al v. A-C Product                Sinclair Oil Company                    124    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31855   Highsmith et al v. A-C Product            Conoco Inc. Continental                 105    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Steamship Co.                                  02-875

11-31864   Dallas et al v. A-C Product               Sinclair Refining Company               94     Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31879   Johnson et al v. A-C Product              Sinclair Oil Company Sinclair           127    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Refining Company                               02-875

11-31888   Gordon et al v. A-C Product               Sinclair Refining Company               127    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-31901   Hooten et al v. A-C Product               Conoco Inc. Continental                 130    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Steamship Co. Pocahantas                       02-875
                                                     Steamship Company Sinclair
                                                     Refining Company

11-31912   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           Sinclair Refining Company               119    Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                                                                              02-375

11-31919   Dew et al v. A-C Product Liability        Sinclair Refining Company               118    Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-31925   Evans et al v. A-C Product                Sinclair Oil Company Sinclair           98     Not filed on    2061
           Liabilty Trust et al                      Refining Company                               02-875

11-31928   Reber et al v. A-C Product                Conoco Inc. Pocahantas                  90     Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Steamship Company                              02-875

11-31944   Taylor et al v. A-C Product               Sinclair Oil Company Sinclair           105    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Refining Company                               02-875

11-32033   Duarte v. A-C Product Liability           Sinclair Refining Company               134    Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-32039   Franklin v. A-C Product Liability         Sinclair Refining Company               114    Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-32064   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           Sinclair Oil Corp.                      102    Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-32065   Thomas v. A-C Product Liability           Sinclair Refining Company               129    Not filed on    2061
           Trust, et al                                                                             02-875

11-32133   Hawkins et al v. A-C Product              Atlantic Refining Company               87     Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32136   Bagby et al v. A-C Product                Sinclair Oil Corp. Sinclair Refining    131    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Company                                        02-875

11-32177   Sullivan et al v. A-C Product             Conoco Inc. Continental                 110    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Steamship Co.                                  02-875

11-32185   Manuel et al v. A-C Product               Harcon S.S. Co., Inc. Sinclair          118    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Refining Company                               02-875

11-32186   Davis et al v. A-C Product                Sinclair Oil Corp. Sinclair Refining    104    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Company                                        02-875

11-32232   Worthy v. A-C Product Liability           Atlantic Richfield Co.                  135    Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-32247   Guyton et al v. A-C Product               Sinclair Refining Company               136    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32278   Suits v. A-C Product Liability            Conoco Inc. Harcon S.S. Co.,            119    Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                               Inc. Pocahantas Steamship                      02-875
                                                     Company Sinclair Refining
                                                     Company

11-32292   Da Costa et al v. A-C Product             Conoco Inc. Continental Oil             135    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Company Pocahantas Steamship                   02-875
                                                     Co.

11-32293   Orchard et al v. A-C Product              Sinclair Refining Company               113    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32309   Wilson et al v. A-C Product               Conoco Inc. Continental Oil             86     Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Company                                        02-875

11-32316   Sutliff et al v. A-C Product              Sinclair Refining Company               87     Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32335   Dianna et al v. A-C Product               Atlantic Refining Company               89     Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32346   Henry v. A-C Product Liability            Sinclair Refining Company               92     Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-32360   Bartel v. American Oil Co.,               Sinclair Refining Company               116    Not filed on    2061
           Et. Al.                                                                                  02-875

11-32381   Bell et al v. A-C Product Liability       Sinclair Oil Corp. Sinclair Refining    99     Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al   Company                                                                    02-875

11-32391   Richardson v. A-C Product                 Sinclair Oil Company Sinclair           133    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Refining Company                               02-875

11-32478   Lachappelle v. A-C Product                Atlantic Refining Company               130    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32560   Steptoe et al v. A-C Product              Sinclair Refining Company               116    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32592   Molitor et al v. A-C Product              Atlantic Refining Company               97     Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32594   Woods et al v. A-C Product                Conoco Inc. Continental Oil             120    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Company Sinclair Oil Corp.                     02-875
                                                     Sinclair Refining Company

11-32601   Ingebretsen v. A-C Product                Western Hemisphere Corp.                100    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32653   Grossman et al v. A-C Product             Sinclair Refining Company               104    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-32658   Hardy et al v. American Eagle             Pocahantas Steamship Company            128    Not filed on    2061
           Tanker et al                              Pocahantas Fuel Company,                       02-875
                                                     Inc.

11-32660   Brown et al v. A-C Product                Harcon S.S. Co., Inc. Sinclair          110    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Refining Company                               02-875

11-32679   Bise et al v. A-C Product Liability       Sinclair Refining Company               123    Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-32764   Todd et al v. Foster Wheeler              Atlantic Refining Company               99     Not filed on    2061
           Company et al                             Sinclair Refining Company                      02-875

11-32774   Schroeder et al v. Acands, Inc.           Sinclair Refining Company               153    Not filed on    2061
           et al                                                                                    02-875

11-32827   Miller v. A.P. Green Industries,          Sinclair Refining Company               118    Not filed on    2061
           Inc. et al                                                                               02-875

11-32883   Miller v. A-C Product Liability           Sinclair Refining Company               96     Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-32884   Keys v. A-C Product Liability             Arco Marine Inc.                        80     Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-32901   Kennedy et al v. A-C Product              Sinclair Oil Company Sinclair           108    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Refining Company                               02-875

11-32909   Cook et al v. Acands, Inc. et al          Conoco Inc. Pocahantas                  116    Not filed on    2061
                                                     Steamship Company Sinclair                     02-875
                                                     Refining Company

11-32943   Bruce et al v. Luckenbach International   Conoco Inc. Continental Oil             124    Not filed on    2061
           Corp. et al                               Company                                        02-875

11-32984   Kempton et al v. Foster   Conoco Inc.     Conoco Oil Continental                  123    Not filed on    2061
           Wheeler Company et al                     Steamship Co. Sinclair                         02-875
                                                     Refining Company

11-33009   Rodriquez-Dias et al v.                   Sinclair Oil Corp. Sinclair Refining    132    Not filed on    2061
           Acands, Inc. et al                        Company                                        02-875

11-33043   Brathwaite et al v. American              Conoco Inc. Continental Oil             125    Not filed on    2061
           Foreign Lines et al                       Company                                        02-875

11-33116   Biasi et al v. A-C Product Liability      Continental Oil Company                 92     Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                               Harcon S.S. Co., Inc.                          02-875

11-33155   Price et al v. Foster Wheeler             Richfield Oil Corporation               133    Not filed on    2061
           Company et al                                                                            02-875

11-33165   Sutherland v. A-C Product                 Sinclair Refining Company               145    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-33169   Fernandez v. Foster Wheeler               Atlantic Richfield Co.                  79     Not filed on    2061
           Company et al                                                                            02-875

11-33173   Ferrell v. Foster Wheeler                 Sinclair Refining Company               98     Not filed on    2061
           Company et al                                                                            02-875

11-33240   Linscomb et al v. Albatross               Sinclair Oil Corp. Sinclair Refining    94     Not filed on    2061
           Steamship Co. et al                       Company                                        02-875

11-33296   Miller v. Sinclair Refining               Sinclair Refining Company               44     Not filed on    2061
           Company et al                                                                            02-875

11-33334   Meade et al v. A-C Product                Atlantic Refining Company               108    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-33371   Van Winkle et al v. A-C Product           Pocahantas Steamship Company            91     Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-33457   Artis et al v. A-C Product                Sinclair Refining Company               106    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                                                                    02-875

11-33470   Watson v. Westchester Marine              Sinclair Refining Company               91     Not filed on    2061
           Inc. et al                                                                               02-875

11-33499   Branch et al v. American Export           Conoco Inc. Pocahantas                  100    Not filed on    2061
           Isbrandtsen et al                         Steamship Company                              02-875

11-33516   Smith et al v. Acands, Inc. et            Atlantic Refining Company               122    Not filed on    2061
           al                                        Conoco Oil Co. Conoco Inc.                     02-875
                                                     Continental Seamship Co.
                                                     Harcon S.S. Co., Inc. Pocahantas
                                                     Steamship Company

11-33520   Hansen v. Acands, Inc. et al              Sinclair Navigation Company             71     Not filed on    2061
                                                     Sinclair Refining Company                      02-875

11-33593   Osborne v. A-C Product Liability          Conoco Inc. Pocahantas                  80     Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                               Steamship Company                              02-875

11-33594   Whitfield v. A-C Product Liability        Atlantic Refining Company               75     Not filed on    2061
           Trust et al                                                                              02-875

11-33620   Darling et al v. A-C Product              Conoco Inc. Continental                 128    Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Steamship Co.                                  02-875

11-33623   Damon, Sr. v. A-C Product                 Continental Oil Company Pocahantas      97     Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust et al                     Fuel Company, Inc.                             02-875

11-33637   Prather et al v. United States            Sinclair Oil Corp.                      93     Not filed on    2061
           Lines Inc. Reorganization                                                                02-87.5
           Trust et al

11-33799   Preston et al v. ACS Industries,          Continental Oil Company Sinclair        97     Not filed on    2061
           Inc. et al                                Oil Corp. Sinclair Refining                    02-875
                                                     Company

11-37937   Daly v. A-C Product Liability             Atlantic Richfield Co. BP Corporation   89     Not filed on    2061
           Trust                                     N.A. Sinclair Oil                              02-875
                                                     Corp. Sinclair Refining Company

11-55853   Ramirez v. A-C Product Liability          Sinclair Refining Company               93     Not filed on    2061
           Trust                                                                                    02-875

11-56823   Bradwell et al v. A-C Product             Conoco Inc. Continental Oil             83     Not filed on    2061
           Liability Trust                           Company Pocahantas Steamship                   02-875
                                                     Company Sinclair Oil
                                                     Company Sinclair Refining
                                                     Company

11-58359   Kirkland v. A-C Product Liability         Sinclair Refining Company               117    Not filed on    2061
           Trust                                                                                    02-875

FootNotes


1. The 565 motions comprise the following categories.

There are 418 motions to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction that argue that there is a lack of personal jurisdiction over the filing defendants. Some of these motions make the alternative argument that their motions to dismiss should be granted due to insufficient service of process. As the Court today grants the motions to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction, the Court need not reach the issue of whether service was insufficient in those particular cases.

There are 147 motions that are styled as motions to dismiss due to improper service of process. These motions argue that although there was some attempt at service of process, plaintiffs deviated from the applicable rules and thus service was improper.

Initially, there were sixteen motions to dismiss that argued that there was no record of service whatsoever (i.e., there was insufficient service). The parties have resolved those motions, so the Court need not reach the issue of whether service was insufficient in those cases.

2. The MARDOC cases account for approximately 2,671 cases in MDL 875, the largest group of cases that still remains on this multidistrict litigation docket.

Plaintiffs in these cases include former merchant marines, representatives, survivors, and spouses ("plaintiffs" or "the MARDOC plaintiffs").

On June 27, 2011, the MARDOC cases were referred to the Honorable Elizabeth T. Hey, U.S. Magistrate Judge, for oversight and supervision. Following a conference with counsel, on October 4, 2011, the undersigned, together with Judge Hey, entered Administrative Order 25 (MARDOC only) ("AO 25"), available at http://www.paed.uscourts.gov/documents/MDL/MDL875/AO25%20(MARDOC% 20ONLY).pdf, which set forth certain administrative rules for the cases as well as imposed certain initial discovery obligations. The cases were divided into seven groups, and on November 21, 2011, seven separate Case Management and Scheduling Orders were entered. (An Amended Administrative Order No. 25 (MARDOC only) was entered on June 26, 2013. This order changed certain filing procedures but substantively remained the same. It is available at http://www.paed.uscourts.gov/documents/MDL/MDL875/Amended% 20AO% 2025.pdf.)

The cases subject to this opinion fall within Group 1 of the MARDOC cases. Most cases on the maritime docket involve multiple defendants, and in some cases more than one defendant filed motions to dismiss due to lack of personal jurisdiction or improper or insufficient service of process.

3. Attorney Leonard C. Jaques died in 1998, although the firm is still representing plaintiffs in these cases since coming under new management.
4. On issues of federal law or federal procedure, the MDL transferee court applies the law of the circuit in which it sits (here, the Third Circuit). See Various Plaintiffs v. Various Defendants ("Oil Field Cases"), 673 F.Supp.2d 358, 363 (E.D.Pa.2009) (Robreno, J.) (citing In re Korean Air Lines Disaster, 829 F.2d 1171, 1178 (D.C.Cir.1987)).
5. Not all of the MARDOC cases that are now pending in MDL 875 and are subject to this opinion were pending in 1989. Some cases were filed in the Northern District of Ohio subsequent to Judge Lambros' 1989 decision.
6. Plaintiffs now admit that this theory fails and no longer rely upon it. Hr'g Tr. 21-23, June 20, 2013, 02-md-875, ECF No. 2639. Plaintiffs never could present support for this theory in case law, statutes or otherwise.
7. The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution "protects an individual's liberty interest in not being subject to the binding judgments of a forum with which he has established no meaningful `contacts, ties, or relations.'" Burger King Corp. v. Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 462, 471-72, 105 S.Ct. 2174, 85 L.Ed.2d 528 (1985) (quoting Intn'l Shoe Co. v. Washington, 326 U.S. 310, 319, 66 S.Ct. 154, 90 L.Ed. 95 (1945)). The Due Process Clause "`gives a degree of predictability to the legal system that allows potential defendants to structure their primary conduct with some minimum assurance as to where that conduct will and will not render them liable to suit[.]'" Id. (quoting World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. v. Woodson, 444 U.S. 286, 297, 100 S.Ct. 559, 62 L.Ed.2d 490 (1980)).
8. The statute provides that: (A) A court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a person who acts directly or by an agent, as to a cause of action arising from the person's: (1) Transacting any business in this state; (2) Contracting to supply services or goods in this state; (3) Causing tortious injury by an act or omission in this state; (4) Causing tortious injury in this state by an act or omission outside this state if he regularly does or solicits business, or engages in any other persistent course of conduct, or derives substantial revenue from goods used or consumed or services rendered in this state; (5) Causing injury in this state to any person by breach of warranty expressly or impliedly made in the sale of goods outside this state when he might reasonably have expected such person to use, consume, or be affected by the goods in this state, provided that he also regularly does or solicits business, or engages in any other persistent course of conduct, or derives substantial revenue from goods used or consumed or services rendered in this state; (6) Causing tortious injury in this state to any person by an act outside this state committed with the purpose of injuring persons, when he might reasonably have expected that some person would be injured thereby in this state; (7) Causing tortious injury to any person by a criminal act, any element of which takes place in this state, which he commits or in the commission of which he is guilty of complicity. (8) Having an interest in, using, or possessing real property in this state; (9) Contracting to insure any person, property, or risk located within this state at the time of contracting.

Ohio Rev.Code Ann. § 2307.382 (West 2013).

9. Prior to the Conn decision, Ohio courts had been inconsistent on the issue of whether Ohio recognizes general jurisdiction. Several cases, most of which are unreported, held that defendants who — either directly or through their parent companies — conducted systematic and continuous activity in Ohio were doing business in Ohio and thus were amenable to service there even if the cause of action did not arise from the conduct in the state. See LSI Indus. Inc. v. Hubbell Lighting, Inc., 232 F.3d 1369, 1373 (Fed.Cir.2000) ("when an out-of-state defendant conducts `continuous and systematic' business in Ohio, it is `doing business' in Ohio and is amenable to process there"); Keybanc Capital Mkts. v. Alpine Biomed Corp., 2008 WL 828080, at *3-4, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 112156, at *6-7 (N.D.Ohio Mar. 7, 2008) (continuous and systematic contacts are sufficient); Estate of Thomson v. Toyota Motor Corp. Worldwide, 2007 WL 1795271, at *1-2, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 44344, at *4 (N.D.Ohio June 19, 2007) (same); Pierson v. St. Bonaventure Univ., 2006 WL 181988, at *1, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4662, at *3 (S.D.Ohio Jan. 23, 2006) (same). However, Conn provides a more recent and on-point discussion about how Ohio courts do not recognize general jurisdiction.
10. AO 5 is available at http://www.paed.uscourts.gov/documents/MDL/MDL875/adord5m.pdf.
11. These orders are available at http://www.paed.uscourts.gov/mdl875m.asp.
12. Not all of the defendants who are currently in the MARDOC cases were in the cases as early as the time when Judge Lambros required defendants to file answers. For example, American-Hawaiian was added to the cases after 1989. Clearly, the plaintiffs' waiver arguments would not be applicable to the defendants who were added to the cases later. See Hr'g Tr. 16.
13. Such has been the course of conduct in MDL 875. When the Court has seen a case through the summary judgment phase and there are no remaining motions in the case, the Court enters a Suggestion of Remand, which suggests to the JPML that it transfer the case back to the transferor court for trial. See Administrative Order No. 18, available at http://www.paed.uscourts.gov/documents/MDL/MDL875/Administrative_Order_18.pdf; see also Rule of Procedure of the U.S. Panel on Multidistrict Litigation 10.1(b).
14. The transferor court may, upon remand of course, transfer the case to another jurisdiction under Section 1404(a).
15. This section provides that, if the "court finds that there is a want of jurisdiction, the court shall, if it is in the interest of justice, transfer such action or appeal to any other such court in which the action or appeal could have been brought at the time it was filed or noticed[.]" 28 U.S.C. § 1631 (2012).
16. This section provides that, "The district court of a district in which is filed a case laying venue in the wrong division or district shall dismiss, or if it be in the interest of justice, transfer such case to any district or division in which it could have been brought." 28 U.S.C. § 1406(a).
17. Even though the MARDOC plaintiffs counter that they are willing to waive their right to remand under Section 1407(a), if this Court were to transfer the instant cases to another district, it would be undermining the holding of Lexecon. The Supreme Court was clear in its directive that one cannot "simply [] ignore the necessary consequence" of a case being self-assigned by a transferee court, which is that it would "conclusively thwart[] the Panel's capacity to obey the unconditional command of § 1407(a)." Lexecon, 523 U.S. at 36, 118 S.Ct. 956. In fact, "no exercise in rulemaking can read [the Panel's remand] obligation out of the statute." Id. at 37, 118 S.Ct. 956.
18. For the same reasons, it would not be appropriate for this Court to suggest remand of these cases to the Northern District of Ohio for the transferor court to sort out issues pertaining to jurisdiction and/or transfer. Since the 1990's, plaintiffs have not pursued the possibility of the MDL Court's suggesting remand of these cases for those purposes. Additionally, even if this Court could transfer cases notwithstanding Lexecon, there would be no good cause for the MDL Court to transfer the cases to Ohio or any other jurisdiction.
19. The only relevant case law citing to Piercey is LSJ Inv. Co., Inc. v. O.L.D., Inc., 167 F.3d 320 (6th Cir.1999). This case dealt with the validity of a default judgment in light of the service of process used, albeit in a slightly different permutation. In LSJ, the certified mail sent to one defendant was returned by the Post Office as "Attempted Not Known." Id. at 323. Thereafter, the plaintiff attempted service by regular mail by sending it himself. Id. Such service is authorized by Ohio Civil Rule 4.6(C) if plaintiff first unsuccessfully attempted to serve a party by certified mail. However, as with Rule 4.3(B)(1), the Clerk must mail the documents. Citing Piercey, the court concluded that service was improper, especially because there was no proof of service. Id. at 324. In LSJ, the Sixth Circuit recognized that when counsel takes over the Clerk's mailing function, some evidence of service must be available and, at least in the context of a motion for default judgment, the six proofs from Piercey must be presented. Id.
20. While the relevant order refers to "actual notice," the reference to actual notice is not construed to mean that actual notice alone would satisfy the Ohio rules or due process requirements of service of process.
21. Although Judge Lambros employed the term "registered mail," there is no meaningful difference between "registered mail" and "certified mail" for purposes of effecting service. Registered mail, inter alia, provides a receipt showing that an item was mailed, and a record of delivery including the recipient's signature is maintained by the Postal Service. See http://about.usps.com/publications/pub370/pub370_012.htm. Certified mail requires the signature of the recipient, and can be combined with a return receipt so that the sender can see the signature of the person who accepts the mail. See https://www.usps.com/send/insurance-and-extra-services.htm.
22. Judge Lambros' ruling is the law of the case and may not be disturbed without good cause. See In re Pharmacy Benefit Managers Antitrust Litig., 582 F.3d 432, 439 (3d Cir. 2009) (noting that a transferee court may not disturb the earlier rulings of the transferor court without good cause).
23. Magistrate Judge Hey is directed to provide defendants an opportunity to challenge the authenticity and genuineness of any green cards produced by plaintiffs.
Source:  Leagle

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