$100 Million Settlement Announced in Federal Court Florida Smokers Litigation

SAN FRANCISCO--()--Attorney Robert J. Nelson of the national plaintiffs’ law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, announced today the settlement of more than 400 lawsuits filed by Florida smokers and their families against the major cigarette companies, Philip Morris USA Inc., R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, and Lorillard Tobacco Company. As a part of the settlement, the companies will collectively pay $100 million to injured smokers or their families. These cases are part of the so-called Engle cases, the Florida class action filed against the cigarette companies in 1994. This settlement involves only those cases pending in federal court.

“We are very pleased that after many years of litigation, the parties were able to reach agreement. This settlement will provide immediate compensation to our clients, many of whom are very elderly,” said Mr. Nelson, who helped negotiate the deal.

Litigation relating to the federal trial verdicts and appeals arising therefrom are not a part of the settlement.

About Lieff Cabraser

Recognized as “one of the nation’s premier plaintiffs’ firms” by The American Lawyer, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP is a sixty-plus attorney law firm with offices in San Francisco, New York, and Nashville. Our firm has successfully represented thousands of patients and injured persons across America in individual lawsuits due to the injuries they suffered from dangerous drugs and medical devices with undisclosed side effects. U.S. News and Best Lawyers named Lieff Cabraser as their 2015 “Law Firm of the Year” for representing plaintiffs in class actions and mass torts. Law360 selected Lieff Cabraser with its 2014 practice group of the year awards for the successes we have achieved for our clients in personal injury and mass torts cases.

Visit us at www.lieffcabraser.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn.

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Contacts

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
Robert J. Nelson, 415-956-1000

Release Summary

Lieff Cabraser attorney Robert Nelson announced a $100 million settlement with Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, and Lorillard Tobacco Company in the Florida smokers litigation.

Contacts

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
Robert J. Nelson, 415-956-1000