Supreme Court permits state court lawsuits against Ford

The Supreme Court in a unanimous ruling Thursday said Ford Motor Co. can be sued in two state courts for accidents resulting from alleged automobile defects, regardless of where the cars were purchased.

The justices rejected an argument by the Michigan-based automaker that its links to Montana and Minnesota were too weak to justify their being sued in state courts there by victims of crashes involving Ford cars purchased out-of-state.

Justice Elena Kagan, writing for the court, said Ford’s extensive effort to market, sell and service its vehicles across the U.S. authorizes Montana and Minnesota courts to review the claims against the auto giant.

“The connection between the plaintiffs’ claims and Ford’s activities in those States,” she wrote, “is close enough to support specific jurisdiction.”

The 8-0 opinion Thursday affirmed the judgments of the Montana and Minnesota Supreme Courts. Justice Amy Coney Barrett did not participate in the case.

The products liability lawsuits arose after accidents involving a 1996 Ford Explorer that killed a Montana driver and a 1994 Ford Crown Victoria that seriously injured a passenger in Minnesota.