Private International Law

[amina]

Hey there!
I would like to have your help on the following case;

A Canadian firm is manufacturing cranes. These cranes are distributed in France and in Europe through a German firm, which modifies them by adding a mobile base.
A French building company, has purchased one of these cranes for using it in an Italian construction site.
The crane collapsed and its operator, Mr X, a French expatriate employee of the company, died.
1. Mr X widow wants to take a legal action the three companies.
2. In addition, considering that the accident is due to a deficiency of the crane itself, the manager of the german company wants to sue the canadian company as he thinks that they are liable for this prejudice.

In both cases, which is (are) the potential competent court(s) and the applicable law.

Thanks for the help.

The practical answer is that all would be joined in a suit and suit could be filed where the parties are or where the contract was signed--but if you are writing a law academic answer you need to cover every possible applicable theory and defense that you have learned in the course.