Fraley v. Estate of Oeding

{¶ 1} In this appeal, we address whether Ohio courts may exercise in-personam jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant based solely on the conduct of the defendant’s insurer. We hold that they may not.

Facts and Procedural History

{¶ 2} Appellee, David Fraley, d.b.a. Fraley Trucking, an Ohio resident, filed this negligence action against appellants, the estate of Timothy J. Oeding, J & R Equipment and Storing (“J & R”), and Auto-Owners Insurance Company (“Auto-Owners”), in the Butler County Court of Common Pleas. Fraley’s action arises out of a motor-vehicle accident that occurred in November…