Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District / Jul 25, 2023
Julius Copeland, Appellant, v. WRBM, LLC, d/b/a Western Rivers Boat Management, Inc., Respondent.
Julius Copeland sued WRBM, LLC, d/b/a Western Rivers Boat Management, Inc. (Employer), alleging negligence under the Jones Act and unseaworthiness under general maritime law after suffering injuries on a vessel. The trial court dismissed Copeland's First Amended Petition without prejudice for lack of personal jurisdiction. The Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, affirmed the dismissal, holding that Copeland failed to plead sufficient facts to establish specific personal jurisdiction under Missouri's long-arm statute.