 In September 1980, Catrett (respondent-plaintiff) sued fifteen asbestos manufacturers and distributors—including Celotex (petitioner-defendant)—in United States District Court for the District of Columbia, on the basis of evidence alleging that her husband, Louis H. Catrett, died in 1979 of health effects of exposure to asbestos manufactured or distributed by the defendants.Catrett sought recovery for claims arising from negligence, breach of warranty, and strict liability on the part of the defendant corporations.Two of the defendants filed motions for dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction.