U.S. Supreme Court declines Bridgestone appeal

WASHINGTON (March 10)—The U.S. Supreme Court refused without comment to hear Bridgestone Corp.'s appeal of whether it could be held accountable in a U.S. court in a product liability suit involving a tire manufactured and first sold in Japan. The California Court of Appeals—2nd Appellate District had ruled Bridgestone could be included in a lawsuit involving a blowout of a Bridgestone tire on a commercial trailer in California. "We were disappointed, but I don't think anyone was shocked," said Joseph Weinstein, a Cleveland attorney who represented Bridgestone in the matter. "The Supreme Court is reviewing things this session like whether it's legal to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in schools. The court seems to be concentrating on higher-profile cases."