The
Wall Street Journal (12/8, Helliker) reports in a first-of-its-kind suit, US Smokeless tobacco
agreed to a five million dollar settlement in a wrongful death suit from
the family of a life-long tobacco chewer who died of mouth cancer. The
settlment was reached a while ago, but just officially announced in Court.
The plaitniff, Bobby Hill, began using Skoal and Copenhagen tobacco at
13. The Journal notes that no such jury verdict tagging the tobacco industry
with inflicting harm caused by smokeless tobacco has been issued.
Plaintiff attorney Antonio Ponvert III said "The fact that he was
addicted as a child took away any personal responsibility defense, and
the absence of any label meant they couldn't say, 'We warned you.'"
Smokeless Tobacco Company Pays $5,000,000 in Wrongful Death Action.
Posted By
Power & Brown, LLC