Tobacco Firms Found Liable in Miami Lawsuit June 12, 2002
News Summary
Three tobacco companies were ordered to pay $37.5 million in a lawsuit brought against them by a sick former smoker in Florida, Reuters reported June 11.In the case, John Lukacs, 76, claimed that his years of smoking cigarettes caused him to develop smoking-related diseases.
A Miami, Fla., jury found in favor of Lukacs, ordering Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., a unit of British American Tobacco Plc, and Philip Morris Cos. Inc. to pay $37.5 million.
The case follows the 2000 landmark class-action lawsuit in Florida that resulted in a record $145 billion judgment against cigarette makers. The suit, known as the Engle case, is currently being appealed. Lukacs' verdict will be subject to the outcome of the Engle appeal.
"We remain confident that the appeals courts will reverse both this verdict and Engle," said Jeff Raborn, attorney for Brown & Williamson.
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