Observers of filing trends in personal injury mesothelioma matters alleging exposure to talc contaminated with asbestos have noted that the bankruptcy filing of a predominant defendant in those matters did little to slow the pace of such filings. Instead, as the filing of new matters continued, the number of defendants named in such filings substantially increased.
To exercise valid jurisdiction over any claim, a federal court must have both personal jurisdiction and subject matter jurisdiction. Subject matter jurisdiction can be based on diversity of citizenship, the presence of a federal question, or an issue that involves subject matter that only the federal court can decide. Separate and distinct from subject matter jurisdiction is the court’s inquiry into personal jurisdiction.