In 2011, Elizabeth Morton, a resident of Greene County, and Annie Watkins, a resident of Jefferson County, were involved in a motor-vehicle collision in Jefferson County. Watkins was treated at a hospital in Jefferson County and subsequently received medical treatment at four health-care facilities located in Jefferson County. In 2013, Watkins filed a complaint in Greene County against Morton, asserting claims arising out of the 2011 collision. Morton filed a motion to transfer this case to the Jefferson Circuit Court pursuant to the doctrine of forum non conveniens. Watkins responded, and the Greene Circuit Court entered an order denying Morton's motion, stating: "After review of [Watkins's] response, the Motion to Transfer Venue of defendant [. . .] is hereby denied. . ." Morton then filed a petition for a writ of mandamus. The Supreme Court granted the writ: Jefferson County had a significantly stronger connection to this case than did Greene County, "which is connected to this case only by the fact that Morton resides there –- a connection this Court has characterized as 'weak.' Morton has met her burden of showing that transfer of this action to Jefferson County is justified in the interest of justice."
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