of Maine's Constitution, Me. Const, art I, § 6-A, control determinations of
personal jurisdiction over nonresident defendants." Harmo1l, v. Cause'way
Autolllotive, LLC, 2007 Me. Super. LEXIS 201, * 4 (Sept. 28, 2007) (Crowley, J.).
"Maine's jurisdictional reach is coextensive with the due process clause of the
United States Constitution." Id. citing Murphy v. Keenan, 667 A.2d 591,593 (Me.
1995).
The long-arm statute provides citizens of Maine with "an effective means
of redress against non-resident persons, who through certain significant minimal
contacts with this State, incur obligations to citizens entitled to the state's
protection." 14 M.R.S. § 704-A(l). The long-arm statute provides:
Any person, whether or not a citizen or resident of this State, who in person or through an agent does any of the acts hereinafter enumerated in this section, thereby submits ... to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State as to any cause of action arising from the doing of any of such acts.
14 M.R.S. § 704-A(2). Among the enumerated acts are transacting business in the
State of Maine and causing a tortious act within the State. Id. The catch-all
provision of the Statute provides for jurisdiction over persons who "[m]aintain
any other relation to the State or to persons or property which affords a basis for
5 the exercise of jurisdiction by the courts of this State consistent with the
Constitution of the United States." 14 M.R.S. § 704-A(2)(I).
Personal jurisdiction must comport with the requirements of due process.
In order to exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant, "due
process requires that (1) Maine have a legitimate interest in the subject matter of
[the] litigation; (2) the defendant, by his conduct, reasonably could have
anticipated litigation in Maine; and (3) the exercise of jurisdiction by Maine's
courts comports with traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice."
Mllrplly, 667 A.2d at 593.
A. Maine's Legitimate Interest in the Subject Matter of the Litigation
Maine has a legitimate interest in "providing its citizens with a means of
redress against nonresidents," but an interest "beyond mere citizenry is
necessary" for Maine to assert jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant. Murphy,
667 A.2d at 594. Such interests include "protection of its industries, the safety of
its workers, or the location of witnesses ... within its borders." Id. Maine courts
have found a legitimate interest in the subject matter of the litigation where the
product of a manufacturer from Finland caused a fire in Maine and all
investigations into the fire took place in Maine, Total Fitness, Inc. v. Filllmzdia
Sauna Products, Inc., 2006 Me. Super. LEXIS 226, *10-11 (Oct. 12,2006) (Crowley,
J.); where a Maine fisherman sued a Florida marine engine manufacturer alleging
the engine he purchased was defective, Coffin v. Daytona Marine Engine, 1997 Me.
Super. LEXIS 301, *6 (Oct. 3, 1997) (Saufley, J.); and where a resident plaintiff was
injured out of state while "engaged in activities in the course of trade that is
essential to Maine's economy" and whose injuries were treated in Maine, such
6 that relevant medical records and witnesses were located in Maine, Harriman v.
Demoulas Supermarkets, Inc., 518 A.2d 1035, 1036-37 (Me. 1986).
Baxi argues that the Plaintiffs are unable to show that Maine has a
legitimate interest for maintaining this action in Maine." This prong requires an
analysis of whether Maine has any reason to be involved in the litigation other
than that its citizens are the plaintiffs. Total Fitness, 2006 Me. Super. LEXIS 226,
*11. As Plaintiffs argue, Maine has a legitimate interest in this litigation. The
boiler allegedly malfunctioned in Michelle Hasse's South Portland apartment
leading to carbon monoxide poisoning and the Plaintiffs' injuries. The Plaintiffs
are Maine residents and Maine is the location of many of the witnesses necessary
for this case. Additionally, as alleged by Plaintiffs, at least 779 Baxi boilers have
been purchased in the State of Maine, potentially placing Maine's citizens at risk.
All of these factors support the conclusion that Maine has a legitimate interest in
this li tigation.
B. Could Baxi Have Reasonably Anticipated Litigation in Maine?
The second prong of the personal jurisdiction analysis requires that a
defendant have sufficient minimum contacts with Maine such that it would be
reasonable to require the defendant to defend the suit in the State of Maine as a
result of its conduct. Interstate Food Processing Corp. v. Pellerito Foods, Inc., 622
J In support of its claim that Maine lacks a legitimate interest in the subject matter of this suit, Baxi cites Frazier v. Bankamerica lnl '1, 593 A.2d 661 (Me. 1991), for the proposition that citizenship, "even where medical witnesses and creditors were located in Maine" was not enough for a determination of a legitimate state interest. Baxi, Motion at 11. Baxi misstates the Law Court's conclusions. In Frazier, the Law Court determined that Mai ne had a legitimate interest in the subject of the suit because "all medical witnesses and creditors are located here in Maine." Frazier, 593 A.2d at 663. The Law Court, however, determined that the defendants did not have sufficient minimum contacts with the State of Maine for personal jurisdiction to be asserted. ld.
7 A.2d 1189, 1192 (Me. 1993). In order to be reasonable, the defendant must have
"purposely avail [ed] itself of the pri vilege of conducting acti vi ties in the forum
State, thus invoking the benefits and protections of its laws." Interstate Food
Processing Corp., 622 A.2d at 1192 citing Burger King Corp. v. Rudzewicz, 471 U.s.
462,474-75, 105 S. Ct. 2174, 2183 (1985). In Maine, purposeful availment occurs
when a defendant "purposefully directs his activities at Maine residents or creates
continuing obligations between himself and the residents [of Maine]." Murphy,
667 A.2d at 594 (internal quotation marks omitted) (emphasis added). "An act
that would have created sufficient minimum contacts for jurisdiction if done by a
defendant is sufficient if done by a defendant's agent." Total Fitness, hlc., 2006
Me. Super. LEXIS 226, * 11 citing 501m v. Bernstein, 279 A.2d 529,538 (Me. 1971).
"In product liability actions, the bare assertion that a nonresident put its
defective product into the stream of commerce, without more, is insufficient for
Maine courts to assert personal jurisdiction." Total Fitness, Inc., 2006 Me. Super.
LEXIS 226, *12 (internal quotation marks omitted). "Rather, it must appear the
nonresident intentionally and actively participated in the act or activity that put
the defective article in Maine." Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). In
contrast, a Maine court could not assert personal jurisdiction over a non-resident
defendant in a breach of contract case in Architectural Woodcraft Co. v. Read, 464
A.2d 210 (Me. 1983). In Architectural Woodcraft, the defendant purchased a
product from a Maine manufacturer, and communicated with the manufacturer
by phone and mail. Architectural Woodcraft Co., 464 A.2d at 213. The Law Court
held that "[t]he existence of a single contract with a resident plaintiff coupled
with the use of interstate communications does not establish a basis for asserting
jurisdiction over a non-resident defendant." [d.
8 Precedent supports finding personal jurisdiction where a nonresident
manufacturer supplies its products to Maine consumers through distributors. In
AsalLi Metal I1ldustry Co. v. Superior Court of Califomin, 480 U.s. 102, 107 S. Ct. 1026
(1987), Justice O'Connor, writing on behalf of a plurality of the Supreme Court,
stated:
The placement of a product into the stream of commerce, without more, is not an act of the defendant purposefully directed towards the forum State. Additional conduct of the defendant may indicate an intent or purpose to serve the market in the forum State, for example, designing the product for the market in the forum State, advertising in the forum State, establishing channels for providing regular advice to customers in the forum State, or marketing the product through a distributor who has agreed to serve as the sales agent in the forum State.
Asalzi, 480 U.S. at 112. Citing Asalzi, the Federal District Court for the District of
Maine found personal jurisdiction existed over a non-resident defendant who
manufactured pigments in U1lie01llp v. Harems Pigments, Iilc., 994F. Supp. 24 (D.
Me. 1998). The defendant manufacturer had no sales agent, no offices, and did
not directly market to any customers in Maine. However, the defendant
supplied its products to several distributors throughout New England and had
knowledge that the distributor's sales territories included Maine. Unieo771p, 994 F.
Supp. at 27. In analyzing the manufacturer's contacts, the court in U71ieomp
concluded that "by arranging to have a distributor, if not several of them, whose
sales territory will include the forum state, a manufacturer evinces at the very
least an intent to serve the market in the forum state." Id. The court also noted
that "[t]he function of the purposeful availment requirement is to ensure that a
nonresident defendant is not haled into the forum based on random, isolated or
fortuitous contacts" and concluded that there is "nothing random, isolated, or
9 fortuitous about a manufacturer's relationship with distributors whose sales
territories include the forum state." Id. (internal citations omitted).
Similarly, in Total Fitness, this court found that the Finnish manufacturer,
Harvia, was subject to Maine's jurisdiction where Harvia's contacts with Maine
arose through its relationship with its Oregon based importer I distributor,
Finlandia. Total Fitness, I11c., 2006 Me. Super. LEXIS 226, * 14-16. This court
concluded that Harvia's contacts with Maine were not "random, isolated, or
fortuitous" and held:
Finlandia has sold products in Maine on multiple occasions. Because of this, Harvia knew, or should have known that Finlandia might sell Harvia products in Maine. Harvia cannot reap the benefits of sales made by an intermediary that repeatedly conducts business with Maine residents and then claim that it has not purposefully availed itself of the benefits of doing business [in Maine].
Id. at 16-17.
The evidence does not support Baxi's argument that it has not established
a distribution network that serves Maine. Baxi and Marathon had a continuing
business relationship, in which Marathon was Baxi's exclusive North American
distributor, and Baxi admits that it knew Marathon targeted Maine's market as a
sales territory. Through Baxi's sales agreement with Marathon, Baxi receives
sales reports from Marathon and is actively engaged in Marathon's advertising
efforts. Marathon's sales show that Baxi's contacts with Maine are not "random,
isolated or fortuitous." As a result of this distribution arrangement Baxi has been
able to sell approximately 779 Luna boilers similar to the boiler at issue in this
case. It is unpersuasive for Baxi to argue that it has not purposefully availed
itself to the privilege of conducting business in Maine when it has reaped a
significant benefit from sales to Maine's residents through its arrangement with
10 Marathon. Based on the facts and the caselaw, subjecting Baxi to Maine's
jurisdiction is appropriate.
C. Does Jurisdiction Comport with Traditional Notions of Fair Play and Substantial Justice?
Under the third prong of the due process test, a defendant is required to
prove that the exercise of personal jurisdiction would not comport with
"traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice." International Shoe Co. v.
Waslzington, 326 U.S. 310, 320, 66 S. Ct. 154 (1945). In determining this third
prong of the test for personal jurisdiction, the court looks at
(1) the defendant's burden of appearing, (2) the forum state's interest in adjudicating the dispute, (3) the plaintiff's interest in obtaining convenient and effective relief, (4) the judicial system's interest in obtaining the most effective resolution of the controversy, and (5) the common interests of all sovereigns in promoting substantive social policies.
Jet Wine & Spirits, Inc. v. Bacardi & Co., 298 F.3d 1, 11 (1st Cir. 2002) (citation and
quotation omitted). Baxi argues that it would be difficult and unfair for Baxi to
have to defend this suit in Maine, and that Baxi would be at a severe
disadvantage in comparison to the Plaintiffs. The court disagrees.
In weighing these factors, traditional notions of fair play are not violated
by the exercise of jurisdiction over Baxi by Maine's courts. As previousl y stated,
Maine has an interest in providing a forum to adjudicate this dispute. Plaintiffs
are Maine citizens who were allegedly injured by Baxi's product, Maine has an
interest in protecting its citizens from defective products, and most of the
witnesses and evidence are located in Maine. The Plaintiffs' interest in obtaining
convenient and effective relief is closely related to the judiciary's interest in
obtaining an efficient resolution to this suit. If this case were to proceed without
Baxi, then it may be necessary for Plaintiffs to initiate a new suit in Italy, a forum
11 that is clearly inconvenient to the Plaintiffs and witnesses. While it may be an
inconvenience for Baxi to defend this litigation in Maine, that inconvenience to
Baxi is true of any forum in the United States.
Therefore the entry is:
Baxi's motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction is DENIED.
/ ~r Dated at Portland, Maine this _----I-~ ~ day of ~-L-.~~_d:<~__-,' 2010.
12 MICHELLE HAASE - PLAINTIFF SUPERIOR COURT CUMBERLAND, 55. Attorney for: MICHELLE HAASE Docket No PORSC-CV-2009-00406 TERRENCE GARMEY - RETAINED 07/08/2009 SMITH ELLIOTT SMITH & GARMEY 7 CUSTOM HOUSE STREET DOCKET RECORD PO BOX 442 PORTLAND ME 04112-0442
Attorney for: MICHELLE HAASE KEITH R JACQUES - RETAINED 07/08/2009 SMITH ELLIOTT SMITH & GARMEY 199 Main Street PO Box 1179 SACO ME 04072
Attorney for: MICHELLE HAASE JOSHUA D HADIARIS - RETAINED 07/08/2009 SMITH ELLIOTT SMITH & GARMEY 199 Main Street PO Box 1179 SACO ME 04072
Attorney for: MICHELLE HAASE DANIEL KLEBAN - RETAINED 07/08/2009 SMITH ELLIOTT SMITH & GARMEY 7 CUSTOM HOUSE STREET PO BOX 442 PORTLAND ME 04112-0442
THOMAS J DIBIASE (OBO TRAINER DIBIASE) - PLAINTIFF
Attorney for: THOMAS J DIBIASE (OBO TRAINER DIBIASE) TERRENCE GARMEY - RETAINED 07/08/2009 SMITH ELLIOTT SMITH & GARMEY 7 CUSTOM HOUSE STREET PO BOX 442 PORTLAND ME 04112-0442
Attorney for: THOMAS J DIBIASE (OBO TRAINER DIBIASE) KEITH R JACQUES - RETAINED 07/08/2009 SMITH ELLIOTT SMITH & GARMEY 199 Main Street PO Box 1179 SACO ME 04072
Attorney for: THOMAS J DIBIASE (OBO TRAINER DIBIASE) JOSHUA D HADIARIS - RETAINED 07/08/2009 SMITH ELLIOTT SMITH & GARMEY 199 Main Street PO Box 1179 SACO ME 04072
Attorney for: THOMAS J DIBIASE (OBO TRAINER DIBIASE) DANIEL KLEBAN - RETAINED 07/08/2009 SMITH ELLIOTT SMITH & GARMEY Page 1 of 11 Printed on: 06/03/2010 PORSC-CV-2009-00406 DOCKET RECORD
7 CUSTOM HOUSE STREET PO BOX 442 PORTLAND ME 04112-0442
vs DOWNEAST ENERGY CORPORATION - DEFENDANT C/O SANDRA MORRELL ROONEY AGNT, 18 SPRING STREET BRUNSWICK ME 04011 Attorney for: DOWNEAST ENERGY CORPORATION DAVID HERZER - RETAINED 08/07/2009 NORMAN HANSON & DETROY 415 CONGRESS STREET PO BOX 4600 PORTLAND ME 04112-4600
BAXI HEATING UK LTD-DISMISSED 1-11-10 - DEFENDANT C/O MARTICA S DOUGLAS ESQ, 103 EXCHANGE STREET PORTLAND ME 04112 Attorney for: BAXI HEATING UK LTD-DISMISSED 1-11-10 ANTHONY D PELLEGRINI - RETAINED 11/02/2009 RUDMAN & WINCHELL 84 HARLOW ST PO BOX 1401 BANGOR ME 04402-1401
MARATHON INTERNATIONA - DEFENDANT C/O MARTICA S DOUGLAS ESQ, 103 EXCHANGE STREET PORTLAND ME 04112 Attorney for: MARATHON INTERNATIONA MARTICA DOUGLAS - RETAINED 08/07/2009 DOUGLAS DENHAM BUCCINA & ERNST 103 EXCHANGE ST PO BOX 7108 PORTLAND ME 04112
PORTLAND WINNELSON CO - DEFENDANT C/O CORPORATION SERVICE CO, 45 MEMORIAL CIRCLE AUGUSTA ME 04330 Attorney for: PORTLAND WINNELSON CO ELIZABETH GERMANI - RETAINED 08/27/2009 GERMANI MARTEMUCCI RIGGLE & HILL 43 DEERING STREET PORTLAND ME 04101
Attorney for: PORTLAND WINNELSON CO TRACY HILL - RETAINED 08/27/2009 GERMANI MARTEMUCCI RIGGLE & HILL 43 DEERING STREET PORTLAND ME 04101
JIM GODBOUT PLUMBING AND HEATING INC - DEFENDANT C/O KEITH R JACQUES ESQ, PO BOX 1179 Page 2 of 11 Printed on: 06/03/2010 PORSC-CV-2009-00406 DOCKET RECORD
07/08/2009 Party(s): MICHELLE HAASE ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 07/08/2009 Plaintiff's Attorney: JOSHUA D HADIARIS
07/08/2009 Party(s): MICHELLE HAASE ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 07/08/2009 Plaintiff's Attorney: DANIEL KLEBAN
07/08/2009 Party(s): THOMAS J DIBIASE (OBO TRAINER DIBIASE) ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 07/08/2009 Plaintiff's Attorney: TERRENCE GARMEY
07/08/2009 Party(s): THOMAS J DIBIASE (OBO TRAINER DIBIASE) ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 07/08/2009 Plaintiff's Attorney: KEITH R JACQUES
07/08/2009 Party(s): THOMAS J DIBIASE (OBO TRAINER DIBIASE) ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 07/08/2009 Plaintiff's Attorney: JOSHUA D HADIARIS
07/08/2009 Party(s): THOMAS J DIBIASE (OBO TRAINER DIBIASE) ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 07/08/2009 Plaintiff's Attorney: DANIEL KLEBAN
07/08/2009 Party(s): TRAINER DIBIASE ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 07/08/2009 Attorney: TERRENCE GARMEY
07/08/2009 Party(s): TRAINER DIBIASE ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 07/08/2009 Attorney: KEITH R JACQUES
07/08/2009 Party(s): TRAINER DIBIASE ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 07/08/2009 Attorney: JOSHUA D HADIARIS
07/08/2009 Party(s): TRAINER DIBIASE ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 07/08/2009 Attorney: DANIEL KLEBAN
07/08/2009 CERTIFY/NOTIFICATION - CASE FILE NOTICE SENT ON 07/08/2009
07/08/2009 Party(s): DOWNEAST ENERGY CORPORATION SUMMONS/SERVICE - ACK OF RECEIPT OF SUMM/COMP FILED ON 07/08/2009 UPON DOWNEAST ENERGY CORPORTION. (MH)
07/08/2009 party(s): PORTLAND WINNELSON CO SUMMONS/SERVICE - ACK OF RECEIPT OF SUMM/COMP FILED ON 07/08/2009 UPON PORTLAND WINNELSON COMPANY. (MH)
07/08/2009 Party(s): COASTAL WINAIR COMPANY SUMMONS/SERVICE - ACK OF RECEIPT OF SUMM/COMP FILED ON 07/08/2009 Page 4 of 11 Printed on: 06/03/2010