World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. v. Woodson

The Robinson family, driving their new Audi from New York to a move in Arizona, were rear-ended in Oklahoma and injured when the car caught fire. They sued the car's distributor, World-Wide Volkswagen (plaintiff), and dealer, Seaway (plaintiff), both of which operated only on the East Coast with no ties to Oklahoma; both made special appearances challenging jurisdiction before trial judge Woodson (defendant). The trial court allowed the case to proceed, and World-Wide and Seaway sought review from the state supreme court.

Whether, under Oklahoma law, a party whose tortious acts outside the state caused injury within the state can be subject to personal jurisdiction if that party derives substantial revenue from the use or consumption of goods where the use of those goods in the state was foreseeable.