A U.S. Supreme Court case claiming asbestos caused a railroad employee’s cancer might not seem crucial for wage and hour attorneys to follow, but its potential to shape where plaintiffs can sue makes it one to watch, observers told Law360.
“This case is potentially going to impact how wage and hour cases are litigated,” said Christopher McNerney, an Outten & Golden LLP partner who represents workers.
At issue is a Pennsylvania law that says companies consent to general personal jurisdiction of its state courts by registering to do business there. General jurisdiction means workers could sue a corporation in Pennsylvania based on its failure anywhere in the country to pay wages correctly.