Thomas E. Keane and Paul T. Wigoda, Individually and on Behalf of All Other Residents of the City of Chicago, Illinois v. General Motors Corporation

481 F.2d 132

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Decided: June 4, 1973
• Docket: 71-1343
• Status: Published

Opinion

OPINION

PER CURIAM:

This treble damage action under section 4 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. § 15, was directed against the three largest domestic automobile manufacturers. It was instituted by ten Chicago aider-men, individually and on behalf of that city’s residents under Rule 23. Their claim is bottomed on the same factual allegations presented in In re Multidistrict Vehicle Air Pollution, M.D.L. No. 31, 9 Cir., 481 F.2d 122, in which our opinion has this day issued. The District Court held that the action could not be maintained under Rule 23 and this interlocutory appeal, under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b), followed.

We need not reach the class action issues since the disposition of this appeal is controlled by our resolution of the standing issue under section 4 of the Clayton Act in Multidistrict Vehicle Air Pollution, swpra. The appellants here alleged no injuries to commercial ventures or enterprises, and since they lack the requisite standing, the District Court will, upon remand, dismiss the action in its entirety.

Remanded with directions.