In Re Ford Motor Company, Relator

Summary

We held that the wrongful‑death beneficiaries who intervened are distinct plaintiffs under the Texas‑resident exception, so the trial court’s denial of Ford’s forum‑non‑conveniens motion stands and the mandamus petition is denied. The Court interpreted the statutory definition of “plaintiff” to exclude only defendants, and concluded each beneficiary’s Texas residency suffices for the exception. Two dissenting opinions argued the intervenors are defendants/third‑party plaintiffs and that dismissal is proper.