Coates v. CTB, Inc.
United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama
173 F. Supp. 2d 1200 (2001)
- Written by Heather Whittemore, JD
Facts
Charles Coates filed a lawsuit in Alabama state court against Latco, Inc. (plaintiff), alleging several violations of state law related to the faulty construction of a chicken house. Latco removed the case to federal court. Acting as a third-party plaintiff, Latco impleaded Illinois Tool Works, Inc. (Illinois Tool) (defendant) as a third-party defendant, alleging that the problems with the chicken house were caused by defective nails and nail guns manufactured by Illinois Tool. Illinois Tool filed a motion to dismiss Latco’s third-party complaint against it, arguing that the complaint was improper under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 14(a), which provides that a third-party plaintiff may implead a third-party defendant who is liable for all or part of the original plaintiff’s claims against the third-party plaintiff. Illinois Tool reasoned that it was not required under Alabama law to contribute to or indemnify Latco for any damages Latco may owe Coates, because Alabama law did not provide a right of indemnity or contribution.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Thompson, J.)
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