Lauro Lines S.R.L. v. Chasser

490 U.S. 495 (1989)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

Chasser (P) and the other plaintiffs were passengers aboard the Achille Lauro when it was hijacked in the Mediterranean Sea by terrorists. P sued Lauro (D) for injuries suffered during the hijacking and for the wrongful death of Leon Klinghoffer. D moved to dismiss P's suit on the ground that a forum-selection clause printed on the passenger tickets limited any passenger to suing in Naples, Italy. The court held that the ticket did not give passengers reasonable notice that they were giving up the right to sue in the United States. D’s motion was denied. D then appealed that denial. The court of appeals dismissed D's appeal, finding that the district court's order was interlocutory and not appealable. D appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.