Big Tobacco Settlement - Three big tobacco companies have agreed to pay $100 million to settle more than 400 cases filled by Floridians claiming smoking cigarettes damaged their health or caused the death of their family members.
According to reports, on Wednesday R.J Reynolds Tobacco Co., Philip Morris USA Inc and Lorillard Tobacco Co. agreed to the settlement which would see the end of the 'Engle-progeny cases,' brought about by claims of smokers and their families.
The big tobacco settlement would resolve the only cases that are still pending in Florida federal court. The settlement does not affect federal cases on appeal or on trial. It doesn't also affect over 2,000 cases moving through state courts.
The Engle cases were filed by families of smokers who became addicted in the 1950s and 60s, long before tobacco companies started using strong warning labels on cigarette packages.
The cases have dragged on through federal and state courts for years, until last year when the U.S. Supreme Court stripped the tobacco companies of a key defense, compelling them to settle.
Lawyers on both side welcomed the settlement.
"I am gratified that we were able to reach this settlement agreement that will provide much needed relief for our clients," said plaintiff's attorney Joe Rice, of the Mt. Pleasant, S.C, law firm of Motley Rice.
Reports indicate that under the federal settlement R.J Reynolds and Phillip Morris would each pay $42.3 million, while Lorillard Tobacco Co. would pay $15 million. The plaintiffs would receive different amounts in the settlement based in the extent of their injuries. Additionally, all plaintiffs must accept the settlement or the whole thing would have to be renegotiated, R.J Reynolds said in a statement.
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