In Florida, the Engle class action lawsuit, Engle v. Liggett Group was decided in favor of smokers, and punitive damages of $145 billion were awarded. However, the Florida Supreme Court decertified this as a class action suit in 2006 and, calling the punitive damages excessive, set aside the $145 billion verdict. However, smokers harmed by tobacco products can still file individual suits, and the Florida Supreme Court has ruled that many jury findings against tobacco companies are legitimate.
Successful Individual Suits Still Possible
Holding tobacco companies responsible for illnesses and deaths caused by smoking is still accomplished in Florida courtrooms. In fact, the Florida Supreme Court’s ruling that numerous diseases and deaths result from tobacco use can make it easier for individual plaintiffs to recover damages in such cases. Because the bad effects of tobacco use are a matter of law, your Florida tobacco attorney will not have to call in expert witnesses to provide scientific proof of the danger of tobacco use.
Health Problems from Tobacco Products
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, smoking causes nearly 20% of deaths in the U.S. Smoking kills more people than HIV, illicit drug abuse, car crashes, alcohol addiction, suicide, and murder combined. The Florida Supreme Court has specified that tobacco use causes many illnesses, including:
- Lung cancer
- Laryngeal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Pregnancy complications
- Tongue and oral cavity cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Aortic aneurysm
- Bladder cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
If you or someone you love has developed these or other diseases caused by smoking, or has died due to the effects of smoking, you should contact a Florida tobacco lawyer to discuss your situation. You may be eligible for compensation from tobacco giants for these illnesses.
Hiring a Fort Lauderdale Tobacco Lawyer
Choose a tobacco injury lawyer who has experience dealing with big tobacco companies in court. Tobacco giants have very deep pockets and spend huge sums of money on the most powerful legal defense teams they can put together. However, it is still possible to prevail against these huge corporations in Florida.
