Fernandez v. Takata Seat Belts, Inc.

OPINION

RYAN, Justice.

¶ 1 In this case, we must decide whether a plaintiff who has no individual claim against a defendant may allege class action claims against that defendant and require the defendant to remain as a party to the lawsuit because she seeks to represent a class of other purported plaintiffs, some of whom may have claims against the defendant.

I

¶2 Eleanora Fernandez brought a class action lawsuit 1 against, among others, Taka-ta Seat Belts, SGS U.S. Testing Company, Inc., Nissan North America, General Motors Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and Da-imlerChrysler Corporation. She…