Gardemal v. Westin Hotel Co.
186 F.3d 588 (5th Cir. 1999)
A drowning at a Mexican resort and a suit against the American parent
- In one lineEn una línea
- Ordinary ownership and oversight of a subsidiary do not make the parent its alter ego or a single business enterprise.La propiedad y supervisión ordinarias de una filial no convierten a la matriz en su alter ego ni en una empresa única.
- RuleRegla
- Under Texas law, alter ego requires such unity between parent and subsidiary that separateness has ceased and holding only the subsidiary liable would be unjust; shared branding and policies without domination are insufficient.
- Why this case is herePor qué está aquí este caso
- Shows that ordinary parent involvement is not domination, and that the single business enterprise theory does not reach a parent absent that control.
- Procedural posturePostura procesal
- The widow sued Westin Hotel Co. for a death at a hotel run by a Mexican subsidiary; the district court granted summary judgment for the parent; the Fifth Circuit affirmed.
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Say the answer out loud before revealing each part. Rate yourself honestly; the case comes back sooner when you miss.Di la respuesta en voz alta antes de revelar cada parte. Califícate con honestidad; el caso vuelve antes si fallas.
Panic kit: “Could you repeat the question, please?” · “Let me make sure I have the facts right: …” · “I'm not certain, but I'd argue … because …”Kit de pánico: “Could you repeat the question, please?” · “Let me make sure I have the facts right: …” · “I'm not certain, but I'd argue … because …”
How did it go?¿Cómo te fue?