J-A05036-21
2021 PA Super 69
CHERYLE A. DEANGELIS, PERSONAL : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE ESTATE : PENNSYLVANIA OF: LAURENCE BLOOM : : Appellant : : : v. : : No. 782 EDA 2020 : PENN CENTRAL CORPORATION A/K/A : AMERICAN PREMIER : UNDERWRITERS, INC., AND : CONSOLIDATED RAIL CORPORATION :
Appeal from the Order Dated January 22, 2020 In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Civil Division at No(s): No. 190401270
BEFORE: OLSON, J., NICHOLS, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*
OPINION BY STEVENS, P.J.E.: FILED APRIL 15, 2021
Appellant Cheryle A. DeAngelis (“Ms. DeAngelis”), who is the personal
representative for the estate of Laurence Bloom (“the decedent”), appeals
from the order granting the motion filed by Appellees Penn Central
Corporation1 a/k/a American Premier Underwriters, Inc. (“American
____________________________________________
*Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court. 1 Penn Central Corporation (“Penn Central”), which was incorporated in Pennsylvania with its corporate headquarters in Philadelphia, filed for bankruptcy and ceased all railroad operations in the 1970s. All properties of Penn Central became properties of the trustees in Penn Central’s bankruptcy. Thereafter, as part of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act, 45 U.S.C. § 701 et seq., Congress created Consolidated Rail, and all employees of Penn Central were offered continued employment with Consolidated Rail. American Premier J-A05036-21
Premier”), and Consolidated Rail Corporation (“Consolidated Rail”)
(collectively “Appellees”) to dismiss Ms. DeAngelis’ complaint filed in the Court
of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County based on the doctrine of forum non
conveniens, for re-filing in a more appropriate forum. After a careful review,
we affirm.
The relevant facts and procedural history are as follows: Ms. DeAngelis,
who is a resident of Venice, Florida, instituted the instant action pursuant to
FELA2 and LIA3 against American Premier, which is incorporated in
Pennsylvania with an address for service in Harrisburg, and Consolidated Rail,
which is incorporated in Pennsylvania with a principal place of business in
Philadelphia.
Ms. DeAngelis averred Appellees conduct business in and have
substantial contacts with Philadelphia. She specifically averred Appellees are
“engaged in interstate commerce as a common carrier by rail, operating a line
and system of railroads and transacting substantial business in the
is a successor in interest to Penn Central’s non-railroad assets and is primarily engaged in the business of insurance.
2 Federal Employers’ Liability Act (“FELA”), 45 U.S.C. §§ 51-60.
3 Locomotive Inspection Act (“LIA”), 49 USC § 20701.
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other states of the United States.” Ms.
DeAngelis’ Second Amended Complaint, filed 7/15/19.4
Ms. DeAngelis averred that, from 1967 to 1982, the decedent worked
for Appellees as a fireman and engineer in and around Rochester, New York.
She further averred that, as a result of the decedent’s job duties, he was
exposed to chemicals and cancer-causing substances, which resulted in the
decedent’s death from laryngeal cancer on November 19, 2016. She posited
Appellees were negligent in failing to provide the decedent with a reasonably
safe work place as required under the relevant statutes.
On October 29, 2019, Appellees filed a joint motion to dismiss under 42
Pa.C.S.A. § 5322(e) and the doctrine of forum non conveniens. In support of
their motion, Appellees attached Ms. DeAngelis’ answers to interrogatories, as
well as an affidavit from Lauren Lamp, Field Investigations Specialist II for
CSX Transportation, Inc. (“CSX Transportation”).5
Relevantly, in the motion to dismiss, Appellees indicated the decedent
lived in New York, except for the last five years of his life when he lived in
4 We note Ms. DeAngelis filed a complaint on April 8, 2019, an amended complaint on May 16, 2019, and a second amended complaint with court permission on July 15, 2019. The second amended complaint is not paginated.
5 In July of 1998, the Surface Transportation Board approved a plan by which CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Corporation acquired Consolidated Rail through a joint stock purchase, and they split most of Consolidated Rail’s assets between them. CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Corporation took administrative control of Consolidated Rail on August 22, 1998.
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Florida. Ms. DeAngelis currently lives in Florida. Neither the decedent nor Ms.
DeAngelis have ever resided in Pennsylvania. Appellees’ Motion to Dismiss,
filed 10/29/19, at 3. The decedent worked in and around Rochester, New
York. Id. at 4. Specifically, he drove “the train from Rochester, New York, to
Buffalo, NY, Syracuse, NY, and Binghamton, NY.” Id. He never worked for
Appellees in Pennsylvania. Id.
Moreover, Appellees asserted the decedent was not diagnosed with his
illness in Pennsylvania, and he never received medical treatment in
Pennsylvania for the illness underlying the instant action. Id. at 5.
Additionally, Appellees indicated a viewing of the decedent’s work sites would
be “important” in this case. Id. at 21. In this vein, Appellees asserted:
It is important to show the jury the enormity of the premises underlying [Ms. DeAngelis’] claims, where [the decedent] worked, the locomotives that he worked in and around, and to dispel any notion that [the decedent] was, as [Ms. DeAngelis] claims, exposed to allegedly injurious substances while working in rail yards and in and around any locomotives….[M]odern technology cannot obviate the need for site visits.
Id. (citation omitted).
In the supporting affidavit, Ms. Lamp confirmed the decedent’s work
record reveals he was never employed by Appellees in Pennsylvania, but that
he worked for Appellees in and around Rochester, New York. Ms. Lamp
identified nine of the decedent’s former co-workers and supervisors, including
A.B. Wager, A.L. Flint, D.A. Vile, D.H. Meyers, F.J. Kryszak, G.M. Cochrane,
G.W. Lund, J.F. Hunter, and K.F. LaFauve, all of whom are retired from
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Consolidated Rail and currently reside in New York. Ms. Lamp indicated that
any yet-to-be-identified co-workers and supervisors of the decedents would
logically be expected to be located in New York since he never worked at any
Pennsylvania location. Moreover, Ms. Lamp indicated the decedent’s
employment files are located in either Florida or New Jersey.
Appellees averred that, since all of the decedent’s former co-workers
and supervisors reside in New York, they will not be able to compel their
attendance to testify in Pennsylvania if they are unwilling to voluntarily do so.
Id. at 20. Additionally, Appellees indicated their former employees will suffer
greater personal disruption, inconvenience, and costs to travel to
Pennsylvania, as opposed to New York for trial. Id. at 21.
Moreover, Appellees argued Philadelphia County is suffering from court
congestion, administrative difficulties, and an undue burden on juries due to
an “explosion of out-of-state filing” of mass tort cases. Id. at 22.
Based on the aforementioned, Appellees averred the instant action has
no bona fide connection to Pennsylvania, and dismissal of the action is proper
since there is a more convenient forum where litigation could be conducted
more easily, expeditiously, and inexpensively. Additionally, Appellees
reasoned the only connection between Pennsylvania and the instant matter is
that Consolidated Rail has its headquarters in Pennsylvania and American
Premier is incorporated in Pennsylvania. However, Appellees argued these
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connections are unrelated to Ms. DeAngelis’ claim that the decedent suffered
injury in connection with his employment in New York.
Appellees indicated they agreed to waive the statute of limitations if Ms.
DeAngelis re-filed her lawsuit in New York, within ninety days of the dismissal
of the suit in Philadelphia, and agreed not to object on the basis of venue or
personal jurisdiction if the matter was re-filed in New York or some other
proper forum.
On November 21, 2019, Ms. DeAngelis filed a response in opposition to
Appellees’ motion to dismiss for forum non conveniens, as well as a supporting
memorandum. Therein, Ms. DeAngelis admitted the decedent did not live,
own property, or receive medical treatment in Pennsylvania. She also
admitted the decedent’s former co-workers and supervisors reside in New
York.
However, Ms. DeAngelis denied that all of her fact witnesses are located
outside of Pennsylvania. Specifically, she indicated:
[Ms. DeAngelis] intends to call four former [Consolidated Rail] corporate witnesses who worked for [Consolidated Rail] at its headquarters in Philadelphia. [Ms. DeAngelis] intends to call Ramon Thomas, who was [Consolidated Rail’s] industrial hygiene manager who worked for [Consolidated Rail] in Philadelphia. Mr. Thomas currently works in Philadelphia and lives in Yardley, PA. [Ms. DeAngelis] intends to call William Barringer, who was [Consolidated Rail’s] safety director who worked for [Consolidated Rail] in Philadelphia. Mr. Barringer currently lives in Naples, FL. [Consolidated Rail] routinely brings Mr. Barringer to testify live in Philadelphia. [Ms. DeAngelis] intends to call Marcia Comstock, M.D., who was [Consolidated Rail’s] former medical director who worked for [Consolidated Rail] in Philadelphia. Dr. Comstock lives in Wayne, PA. [Ms. DeAngelis] intends to call Paul Kovac, who
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was [Consolidated Rail’s] claims manager who worked for [Consolidated Rail] in Philadelphia. Mr. Kovac lives in Hatboro, PA.
Ms. DeAngelis’ Response to Appellees’ Motion to Dismiss, filed 11/21/19, ¶
17.6
Additionally, Ms. DeAngelis elaborated that she intended to call the four
former Consolidated Rail corporate witnesses because they “were responsible
for developing industrial hygiene, safety and medical programs to prevent
employees from developing cancer due to exposure to diesel exhaust and
asbestos [and] failed to do so in a timely and adequate manner.” Id. ¶ 69.
Ms. DeAngelis averred “[t]hat is negligence under FELA. That is why the four
former [Consolidated Rail] corporate employees’ testimony is relevant[.]” Id.
In support of this claim, Ms. DeAngelis attached as exhibits to her response
the notes of testimony given by Mr. Thomas and Mr. Barringer in two unrelated
FELA cases in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County.
Ms. DeAngelis contended a viewing of the decedent’s work sites would
be irrelevant at trial. Id. at ¶ 47. Moreover, she averred that, in addition to
Consolidated Rail being incorporated in Pennsylvania with its headquarters in
Philadelphia, Penn Central was incorporated in Pennsylvania with its corporate
headquarters in Philadelphia. See id. at ¶ 18. She posited that Philadelphia
has judicial resources and experience with FELA cases to ensure a just trial.
6 Ms. DeAngelis’ response is not paginated.
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On January 9, 2020, Appellees filed a reply to Ms. DeAngelis’ response
in opposition to their motion to dismiss. Therein, Appellees argued dismissal
was warranted since Ms. DeAngelis has identified, at most, three potential fact
witnesses who reside in Pennsylvania. Moreover, all of Appellees potential
fact witness, nine in all, reside in New York.
On January 22, 2020, the matter proceeded to a hearing at which the
trial court heard oral argument in support of the parties’ respective positions.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court granted Appellees’ motion to
dismiss the instant action based on forum non conveniens and dismissed Ms.
DeAngelis’ complaint without prejudice to her right to re-file in New York, or
some other appropriate jurisdiction.
Ms. DeAngelis filed a timely notice of appeal, and the trial court directed
her to file a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement. Ms. DeAngelis timely complied, and
the trial court filed a Rule 1925(a) opinion setting forth in detail the reasons
for its ruling:
At the outset, the trial court notes that (1) [Ms. DeAngelis] currently resides in Venice, Florida, (2) [the decedent] lived most of his life in Bloomfield, New York, in Ontario County, and (3) the alleged unsafe workplace where [the decedent] worked was located in and around Rochester, New York. *** All of the identified sources of proof of [Ms. DeAngelis’] claim—such as the alleged unsafe work environment, [the decedent’s] former supervisors and co-workers, etc.—are located in or nearer to Ontario County, New York, rather than in or nearer to Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. [The decedent] had never been a resident of or worked in Pennsylvania. Rather, [the decedent] lived most of his life in Bloomfield, New York, in Ontario
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County, and worked for [Appellees] in and around Rochester, New York, for at least 15 years. In the last five years of his life, [the decedent] resided in Florida. [The decedent’s] alleged injury occurred in and around Rochester, New York. All of [the decedent’s] diagnosing and treating physicians are located outside of Pennsylvania, and [the decedent] received all of his relevant medical treatment outside of Pennsylvania. Finally, all of his medical and employment records are located outside of Pennsylvania. *** In further support of their motion to dismiss, [Appellees] identified nine trial witnesses who all live in New York. Additionally, [Appellees] noted that any yet-to-be identified former supervisors and co-workers of [the decedent] are more likely living in New York than in Pennsylvania.2 2Contrary to [Ms. DeAngelis’] claims of error, the trial court considered (1) both the inconvenience of [Appellees’] nine potential trial witnesses as well as the inconvenience of [Ms. DeAngelis’] four potential trial witnesses; and (2) that four of [Ms. DeAngelis’] fact witnesses had worked for [Consolidated Rail] at its corporate headquarters in Philadelphia County. Nevertheless, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining that the private and public factors were strongly in favor of dismissing the action pursuant to Section 5322(e).
As such, it is beyond peradventure that it is easier for the parties to access sources of proof from Ontario County, New York, rather than from Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. *** [T]he trial court reasonably concluded that it would be less expensive to have witnesses attend a trial in Ontario County, New York, than in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. This is because the overwhelming number of witnesses—especially [the decedent’s] former co-workers and supervisors—reside in the state of New York. *** It would be easier for the fact-finder to view the premises from Ontario County, New York, than from Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, because the work environment that [Ms. DeAngelis] claims was the only source of [the decedent’s] injuries is located in Ontario County, New York. ***
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Trying this case in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, creates some administrative difficulties for Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, as compared to trying this case in Ontario County, New York. *** Considering the minimal connections this case has with Philadelphia County, the trial court reasonably decided not to impose the burden of jury duty upon the citizens of Philadelphia County based upon such minimal connections.4 In light of the above, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining that the private and public factors were strongly in favor of dismissing the action pursuant to Section 5322(e). 4 Contrary to [Ms. DeAngelis’] claim of error, the trial court considered the fact that Penn Central and [Consolidated Rail] are Pennsylvania Corporations and that [Consolidated Rail’s] principal place of business is located in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. However, such facts do not preclude dismissal on the basis of forum non conveniens. Wright v. Consolidated Rail Corporation, 215 A.3d 982, 994-96 (Pa.Super. 2019) (holding that the fact that the moving party does business in or has its principal place of business in a plaintiff’s choice of forum supports venue, but it does not preclude dismissal based on forum non conveniens). Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining that the private and public factors were strongly in favor of dismissing the action pursuant to Section 5322(e).
Trial Court Opinion, filed 7/16/20, at 4-7 (citations to record and footnote
omitted).
On appeal, Ms. DeAngelis sets forth the following issues in her
“Statement of Questions Presented” (verbatim):
1. Whether the Trial Court abused its discretion in finding that weighty reasons existed to support dismissal under the doctrine of forum non conveniens? 2. Whether the Trial Court should have considered not only that [Consolidated Rail] and Penn Central were Pennsylvania corporations and that both of their corporate headquarters were located in Philadelphia, PA, but also that four of the Plaintiff’s fact witnesses worked for [Consolidated Rail] at its corporate headquarters in Philadelphia, PA?
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3. Whether the Trial Court erred in considering the inconvenience of Defendants’ potential hypothetical fact witnesses over the actual inconvenience of Plaintiff’s four fact witnesses who would be required to travel to Ontario County, NY for trial?
Ms. DeAngelis’ Brief at 2-3.7
Initially, we note the following relevant principles, which guide our
review:
Orders on motions to dismiss under the doctrine of forum non conveniens are reviewed for an abuse of discretion. This standard applies even where jurisdictional requirements are met. Moreover, if there is any basis for the trial court’s decision, the decision must stand. An abuse of discretion occurs if, inter alia, there was an error of law or the judgment was manifestly unreasonable. When reviewing for errors of law, the appellate standard of review is de novo and the scope of review is plenary. In Pennsylvania, the doctrine of forum non conveniens, which originated in Common Law, has been codified by statute: Inconvenient forum.-When a tribunal finds that in the interest of substantial justice the matter should be heard in another forum, the tribunal may stay or dismiss the matter in whole or in part on any conditions that may be just. 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5322(e).
7 Although Ms. DeAngelis has set forth three separate issues in her “Statement of Questions Presented,” she intertwines and discusses the issues together in the argument portion of her brief. We shall treat the issues in a similar manner.
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Hovatter v. CSX Transportation, Inc., 193 A.3d 420, 424 (Pa.Super. 2018)
(quotation marks, quotations, and citations omitted).8
The doctrine of forum non conveniens “provides the court with a means
of looking beyond technical considerations such as jurisdiction and venue to
determine whether litigation in the plaintiff’s chosen forum would serve the
interests of justice under the particular circumstances.” Alford, 531 A.2d at
794 (citation omitted).
The two most important factors the trial court must apply when considering whether dismissal is warranted are that “1.) the plaintiff’s choice of forum should not be disturbed except for ‘weighty reasons,’ and 2.) there must be an alternate forum available or the action may not be dismissed.” *** [W]ith respect to the initial factor, we note that “a court may find that the presumption in favor of a plaintiff’s choice of forum may be less stringently considered when the plaintiff has chosen a foreign forum to litigate his or her claims.” Furthermore, To determine whether such “weighty reasons” exist as would overcome the plaintiff’s choice of forum, the trial court must examine both the private and public interest factors involved. Petty v. Suburban General Hospital, 525 A.2d 1230, 1232 (Pa.Super. 1987). The Petty Court reiterated the considerations germane to a determination of both the plaintiff’s private interests and those of the public as defined by the United States Supreme Court in Gulf Oil Corp. v. Gilbert, 330 U.S. 501, 67 S.Ct. 839 (1947). They are:
8 Our courts lack the authority to transfer matters to courts of our sister states; but rather, when appropriate, our courts should dismiss the action to permit re-filing in another state. See Alford v. Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Inc., 531 A.2d 792 (Pa.Super. 1987).
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the relative ease of access to sources of proof; availability of compulsory process for attendance of unwilling, and the cost of obtaining attendance of willing, witnesses; possibility of view of premises, if view would be appropriate to the actions; and all other practical problems that make trial of a case easy, expeditious and inexpensive. There may also be questions as to the enforceability of a judgment if one is obtained. The court will weigh relative advantages and obstacles to a fair trial. *** Factors of public interest also have place in applying the doctrine. Administrative difficulties follow for courts when litigation is piled up in congested centers instead of being handled at its origin. Jury duty is a burden that ought not to be imposed upon the people of a community which has no relation to the litigation. There is appropriateness, too, in having the trial…in a forum that is at home with the state law that must govern the case, rather than having a court in some other forum untangle problems in conflict of laws, and in law foreign to itself.
Hovatter, 193 A.3d at 424-25 (quotations and citations omitted).
Instantly, as the trial court concluded, the second factor pertaining to
the existence of an alternate forum is not at issue in the case sub judice. See
Hovatter, supra. That is, it is undisputed there is an alternate forum (New
York) available. Moreover, Appellees have stipulated to waive the statute of
limitations, as well as not object on the basis of venue or personal jurisdiction,
if Ms. DeAngelis re-files in an appropriate jurisdiction.
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Accordingly, we instead focus on the “weighty reasons” factor in the trial
court’s analysis of Appellees’ motion to dismiss for forum non conveniens. In
this regard, we note Ms. DeAngelis contends the trial court abused its
discretion in finding Appellees demonstrated “weighty reasons” to overcome
her choice of forum. She specifically avers her case is indistinguishable from
Robbins for Estate of Robbins v. Consolidated Rail Corporation, 212
A.3d 81 (Pa.Super. 2019). Appellees, on the other hand, contend Ms.
DeAngelis’ case is more akin to Wright v. Consolidated Rail Corporation,
215 A.3d 982 (Pa.Super. 2019).
In Wright, the trial court denied the motion to dismiss Mr. Wright’s
complaint based on forum non conveniens, and Consolidated Rail and CSX
Transportation appealed. In that case, Mr. Wright was a non-resident of
Pennsylvania, he had been a car inspector at the DeWitt Train Yard in
Syracuse, New York, and he averred that, as a direct result of his job duties,
he suffered repetitive stress injuries to both shoulders. See Wright, supra.
Moreover, Mr. Wright lived in New York while working for the railroad
companies from 1974 to 2014; however, he moved to South Carolina upon
his retirement. All of his treating physicians and medical files were located in
New York, New Jersey, or Florida, and all of his fact witnesses were former or
current railroad workers who resided outside of Pennsylvania. See Wright,
supra.
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Accordingly, based on the record in Wright, this Court held the trial
court abused its discretion in denying Consolidated Rail’s and CSX
Transportation’s motion to dismiss based on forum non conveniens. In so
holding, we noted the trial court erred in giving great deference to Mr. Wright’s
choice of forum and incorporating “plaintiff-friendly” Pa.R.C.P. 1006(d)
standards into the analysis.9 Id. at 992. Further, we noted the trial court
erred in concluding that Consolidated Rail’s and CSX Transportation’s sworn
affidavits were insufficient regarding the New York residency of their
witnesses. Id. at 993. We specifically held that “inasmuch as the trial court
determined there is no dispute that [] Wright worked for [Consolidated Rail
and CSX Transportation] exclusively in New York, [the] assertion in [their]
affidavits that most or all of [their] witnesses reside primarily, if not
exclusively, in New York does not require additional record support.” Id. at
993-94. Accordingly, we reversed and remanded as it pertained to the trial
court’s consideration of Consolidated Rail’s and CSX Transportation’s affidavits
and evidentiary burden. Id.
In Robbins, supra, Consolidated Rail and Penn Central filed a motion
to dismiss for forum non conveniens because the decedent’s injuries occurred
in Indiana and their two proposed witnesses were located outside of
9As this Court acknowledged in Wright, “a defendant bears a heavier burden under Pa.R.C.P. 1006(d)(1), which permits [intrastate] forum transfers only when the defendant establishes that a plaintiff’s chosen forum is oppressive and vexatious for the defendant.” Wright, 215 A.3d at 992.
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Pennsylvania. In response to the motion to dismiss, the plaintiff averred he
intended to call four witnesses, who were previous employees of Consolidated
Rail in Philadelphia: Dr. Comstock, Mr. Barringer, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Kovac
(the same four witnesses Ms. DeAngelis avers she plans to call at trial in this
case).
Additionally, the plaintiff argued that “although the decedent worked at
the train yard in Indiana, the policies and procedures related to the decedent’s
exposure to chemicals and cancer-causing substances were determined at
Consolidated Rail’s headquarters in Philadelphia.” Robbins, 212 A.3d at 85-
86. Moreover, the plaintiff argued the viewing of the work site would not be
desirable, and in fact, would be dangerous to a jury. Id. at 86. Following a
hearing, the trial court denied the motion to dismiss.
On appeal in Robbins, Consolidated Rail and Penn Central argued, inter
alia, that the trial court abused its discretion in weighing the public and private
factors, and thus, erred in concluding there were insufficient “weighty
reasons” to grant the motion to dismiss. This Court disagreed and held the
following:
With regard to the private factors, the trial court relevantly concluded there was no evidence that Indiana would provide easier access to the decedent’s employment records, which are housed in New Jersey and/or Florida. Further, with regard to the cost of obtaining the attendance of willing witnesses and the availability of compulsory process for obtaining the attendance of unwilling witnesses, the trial court noted [Consolidated Rail and Penn Central] identified two potential witnesses, both of whom were [] former employees: [] Mason, who resides in Illinois, and [] Toney, who resides in [Indiana]. [] Robbins, on the other hand,
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identified four fact witnesses, all of whom reside in Pennsylvania and were former Consolidated Rail employees. Additionally, the trial court noted [Consolidated Rail and Penn Central] conceded that it is unlikely any party would seek a request to view the train yard at issue. With regard to the public factors, and Pennsylvania’s connection to the lawsuit, it is noteworthy that [] Robbins averred that, although he worked at the train yard in Indiana, the policies and procedures related to his exposure to chemicals and cancer- causing substances were determined at Consolidated Rail’s headquarters in Philadelphia. Thus, as the trial court concluded, Pennsylvania citizens have a relation to the litigation. Based on the aforementioned, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in weighing the private and public factors. We note it is within the trial court’s discretion to weigh some factors more heavily than others and weighing the factors is “not an exercise in counting numbers.” Bochetto v. Dimeling, Schreiber & Park, 151 A.3d 1072, 1083 (Pa.Super. 2016). Because [Consolidated Rail and Penn Central] have not met their burden, we affirm.
Robbins, 212 A.3d at 90 (footnote omitted).
Furthermore, in Robbins, we distinguished the facts of Robbins’ case
from Hovatter, supra. In this regard, this Court held:
To the extent [Consolidated Rail and Penn Central] aver the facts of this case are indistinguishable from Hovatter, supra, we disagree. In Hovatter, this Court held the trial court erred in failing to dismiss the plaintiff’s action, which was filed in Pennsylvania, under the doctrine of forum non conveniens. However, in the instant matter, unlike in Hovatter, there were Pennsylvania witnesses identified by a party and a viewing of the site was not at issue. Further, we note in the case sub judice, unlike in Hovatter, [] Robbins specifically averred the policies and procedures related to the decedent’s exposure to alleged chemical/cancer-causing substances were developed by [Consolidated Rail] at its headquarters in Philadelphia. There was no such allegation made in Hovatter as to CSX Transportation (the sole defendant in Hovatter).
Robbins, 212 A.3d at 90 n.8.
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Recently, in Ficarra v. Consolidated Rail Corporation, 242 A.3d 323
(Pa.Super. 2020),10 this Court examined the holdings of Wright, supra, and
Robbins, supra.
In Ficarra, the record before the trial court demonstrated that none of
the plaintiffs resided in Pennsylvania, and all of the plaintiffs worked for the
railroad companies outside of Pennsylvania from 1953 to 2012. In its motion
to dismiss, the railroad companies averred none of the potential fact witnesses
or sources of proof resided in Pennsylvania; the railroad companies would be
unable to avail themselves of compulsory process for attendance of unwilling
non-Pennsylvania witnesses; there would be a high cost of obtaining
attendance of willing out-of-state witnesses; a fact-finder in Pennsylvania
would be unable to view easily the plaintiffs’ work premises; and there would
10 We note that Ficarra involved nine different plaintiffs, and we consolidated the cases in this Court. In all nine cases, the trial court denied the railroad defendants’ motions to dismiss. On appeal, we reversed the orders in eight of the cases and concluded the trial court abused its discretion in holding the defendants did not provide sufficient “weighty reasons” for dismissal. See id. However, we affirmed in one of the cases. Specifically, with regard to the latter, we noted that the procedural posture of the case was such that it was “trial ready” with discovery complete and a trial term set by the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. See id. Thus, in weighing the factors, we concluded the trial court did not abuse its discretion in holding dismissal would be inappropriate based on forum non conveniens. See id. We specifically note the case sub judice is distinguishable from the latter case in Ficarra since the case is not “trial ready” in Philadelphia County.
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be a burden on Pennsylvania courts, taxpayers, and jury pool. Ficarra,
In response, the plaintiffs argued they intended to call the same
witnesses as the plaintiff in Robbins: Dr. Comstock, Mr. Barringer, Mr.
Thomas, and Mr. Kovac. Based on the record before it, the trial court
determined the plaintiffs’ four witnesses had worked for Consolidated Rail, but
only Dr. Comstock undisputedly continued to reside in Pennsylvania. See
Ficarra, supra. Moreover, the trial court determined that all of the plaintiffs’
former co-workers and supervisors, who were potential witnesses, lived
outside of Pennsylvania, the plaintiffs’ injuries occurred outside of
Pennsylvania, and the plaintiffs’ physicians, as well as medical records, were
outside of Pennsylvania. See id.
Based on the aforementioned, the trial court in Ficarra denied the
railroad companies’ motions to dismiss based on forum non conveniens;
however, in its subsequent Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinions, the trial court opined
that it should have granted the railroad companies’ motions. See id. Upon
review, this Court agreed.
Specifically, we acknowledged the plaintiffs in Ficarra, similar to the
plaintiff in Robbins, listed Comstock, Barringer, Thomas, and Kovac as four
witnesses they intended to call at trial. We also acknowledged that “at first
glance [the] plaintiffs’ cases strikingly resemble Robbins.” Ficarra, 242 A.3d
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at 336. However, we concluded there were two important distinctions
between Ficarra and Robbins.
Namely, in Robbins, the plaintiff set forth a specific argument that
Consolidated Rail developed policies and procedures in its Philadelphia office
that created the conditions leading to the plaintiff’s injuries; however, in
Ficarra, the plaintiffs provided scant argument as to the relevance of the
former Consolidated Rail employees’ testimony. Furthermore, based on the
record in Robbins, the trial court found all four of the former Consolidated
Rail employees resided in Pennsylvania; however, based on the record, the
trial court in Ficarra found only Dr. Comstock resided in Pennsylvania.
Accordingly, in Ficarra, this Court relevantly held:
[W]e conclude the trial court abused its discretion in applying the wrong evidentiary burden….However, given the records before it in these cases, we agree with the trial court’s re- analysis and find these cases distinguishable from Robbins. All of [the] plaintiffs’ former co-workers, supervisors, and diagnosing and treating physicians reside outside Pennsylvania. The work sites are outside Pennsylvania. The only connection to Pennsylvania relevant to [the] plaintiffs’ claims is that four individuals who used to work in Philadelphia were allegedly involved in the drafting and implementation of procedures that led to [the] plaintiffs’ injuries. However, on the record before the trial court, only one of those witnesses undisputedly resides in Pennsylvania currently. Moreover, [the] plaintiffs largely failed to explain the relevance of the former employees’ testimony. Weighing the private and public interest factors using the correct evidentiary burden, the trial court here ultimately concluded that [the railroad companies] presented sufficient weighty reasons to warrant dismissal for forum non conveniens[.] We discern no abuse of discretion by the trial court in reaching this conclusion. See Robbins, 212 A.3d at 90 (“[I]t is within the trial court’s discretion to weigh some factors more heavily than others and weighing the factors is not an exercise in counting numbers.”)
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(citation and quotation marks omitted). Accordingly, we vacate the orders denying the motions to dismiss…and remand to the trial court to dismiss these cases to permit re-filing in an appropriate jurisdiction.
Ficarra, 242 A.3d at 337.
Preliminarily, similar to our initial assessment in Ficarra, we
acknowledge the facts of the case sub judice appear at first glance to resemble
Robbins. However, there are important differences, which weigh in favor of
dismissal.
First, in Robbins, where the decedent worked exclusively in Indiana,
the railroad companies indicated it planned to call as witnesses two of the
decedent’s former supervisors: Dale Mason, who resided in Illinois, and
Charles Toney, who resided in Indiana.
However, in the case sub judice, Appellees informed the trial court, and
provided a supporting affidavit, indicating they had identified nine of the
decedent’s former co-workers and supervisors, all of whom reside in New
York. Appellees averred a greater personal inconvenience and cost to these
witnesses, if they are required to travel to Pennsylvania, as opposed to New
York for trial. As the trial court determined, “the overwhelming number of
witnesses--especially [the decedent’s] former co-workers and supervisors--
reside in the state of New York.” Trial Court Opinion, filed 7/27/20, at 6
(footnote omitted).
Furthermore, in Robbins, this Court specifically recognized that “a
viewing of the site was not at issue.” Robbins, 212 A.3d at 90 n.8. However,
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in the case sub judice, Appellees averred it would be “important” to visit the
decedent’s work sites during trial. See Appellees’ Motion to Dismiss, filed
10/29/19, at 21. The trial court specifically accepted Appellees’ argument and
concluded the necessity of viewing the work premises weighed in favor of
dismissal. Trial Court Opinion, filed 7/27/20, at 7.
As it pertains to the public factors, in the case sub judice, the trial court
concluded there would be more administrative difficulties if the case is tried in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as opposed to New York. There was no such
finding by the trial court in Robbins.
Accordingly, although the trial court accepted in this case that Ms.
DeAngelis identified four witnesses, all of whom formerly worked for
Consolidated Rail in Pennsylvania,11 and three of whom presently reside in
Pennsylvania,12 the trial court held that, upon weighing all of the relevant
factors, Appellees met their burden of demonstrating “weighty reasons” for
11To the extent Ms. DeAngelis avers the trial court did not consider the fact she had four fact witnesses, all of whom previously worked for Consolidated Rail at its corporate headquarters in Philadelphia, we find no merit. The trial court indicated that it considered Ms. DeAngelis’ witnesses in assessing whether Appellees demonstrated “weighty reasons” for dismissal. See Trial Court Opinion, filed 7/27/20, at 6 n.2.
12Based on the record in Robbins, the trial court determined that all four of the plaintiff’s witnesses (Comstock, Barringer, Thomas, and Kovac) resided in Pennsylvania. In the case sub judice, the record revealed Mr. Barringer resides in Florida.
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Based on the record, we find no abuse of discretion. The trial court
properly weighed the private and public factors using the correct evidentiary
burden. Ficarra, supra. Thus, we affirm the order granting Appellees’
motion to dismiss.
As this Court has previously recognized, it is within the trial court’s
discretion to weigh some factors more heavily than others and weighing the
factors is not “an exercise in counting numbers.” Bochetto, 151 A.3d at
1083. See Hovatter, supra (holding that, in reviewing orders dismissing an
action under the doctrine of forum non conveniens, if there is any basis for
the trial court’s decision, the decision must stand).
Affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary
Date: 4/15/2021
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