Speed v. Omega Protein, Inc.
Plaintiff Charles Speed sued Omega Protein, Inc. for personal injuries sustained while working on a vessel. Defendant filed a motion to dismiss for improper venue or to transfer venue, citing a forum-selection clause in Speed's employment contract. The Court denied the motion to dismiss but granted the motion to transfer the case from the Southern District of Texas to the Western District of Louisiana. The decision weighed factors such as the enforceability of the forum-selection clause, convenience of witnesses, location of the alleged wrong, and the plaintiff's choice of forum, concluding that the balance favored transfer.