Navida, et al. v.

Dizon, Jr
TOPIC: TORTS AND CRIMES
Proceedings before the Texas Courts
1. Beginning 1993, a number of personal injury suits were filed in different Texas state
courts by citizens of twelve foreign countries, including the Philippines.
2. The thousands of plaintiffs sought damages for injuries they allegedly sustained from
their exposure to dibromochloropropane (DBCP), a chemical used to kill nematodes
(worms), while working on farms in 23 foreign countries.
3. The cases were eventually transferred to, and consolidated in, the Federal District Court
for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.
4. The cases therein that involved plaintiffs from the Philippines were Jorge
Colindres Carcamo, et al. v. Shell Oil Co., et al., which was docketed as Civil
Action No. H-94-1359, and Juan Ramon Valdez, et al. v. Shell Oil Co., et al.,
which was docketed as Civil Action No. H-95-1356.
5. The defendants in the consolidated cases prayed for the dismissal of all the actions
under the doctrine of forum non conveniens.