Nelson v. Adams USA, Inc., et al.
United States Supreme Court
529 U.S. 460 (2000)
Relevant factsFree
After Ohio Cellular Products Corporation (OCP) lost a patent-infringement suit and was ordered to pay Adams USA's (defendant's) costs and fees, Adams, fearing OCP could not pay, moved to add OCP's president and sole shareholder, Nelson (plaintiff), as a party. The district court granted the amendment and immediately entered the same judgment against Nelson personally, without giving him a chance to respond to the amended pleading. Nelson appealed, the court of appeals affirmed, and the U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari.
IssueFree
Whether a defendant must be given the opportunity to respond to an amended pleading adding him as a party before he may be subjected to liability under that pleading.