Tobacco Litigation History

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• 1954 - Industry faces first liability lawsuit by lung cancer victim. The suit was dropped thirteen years later.
• 1964 - Surgeon general releases reports concluding smoking causes lung cancer.
• 1966 - Federally mandated warnings on cigarette packs appear.
• 1990 - Smoking banned on interstate buses and most domestic airline flights.
• 1992 - Supreme Court rules smokers may file suits alleging cigarette makers hid healthdangers of tobacco.
• 1994 - Tobacco executives swear in congressional testimony that nicotine is not addictive. Later, disclosure of internal Brown & Williamson documents reveal industry knowledge of smoking risks. Mississippi becomes first state to sue torecover public costs of treating sick smokers.
• 1996 - Liggett Group settles claims by five states and helps them go after other companies. FDA announces landmark effort to regulate tobacco.
• 1997 - Proposed settlement of state suits calls for tough restrictions on cigarettes. Mississippi accepts $3.6 billion to settle with manufacturers; Florida, Texas and Minnesota follow.
• 1998 - Forty-six states agree to $206 billion settlement with companies.
• 1999 - Justice Department sues industry for billions of dollars spent on smoking related health care.
• 2000 - Supreme Court rules, 5-4, that the FDA lacks authority to regulate tobacco. In July, a Florida jury awards $145 billion in punitive damages against the Industry.
• 2001 - California jury awards individual $3 billion in punitive damages against.
• 2002 – California jury awards smoker $28 billion in punitive damages.
• 2002 – Florida jury awards flight attendant $5.5 million for exposure to second-hand smoke.
• 2005 – New York jury awards smoker $17.1 billion in punitive damages.
• 2006 – Florida Supreme Court overturns $145 billion award in punitive damages against Big Tobacco.
• 2007 – California court removes legal barrier that allows injured smokers to sue tobacco companies.

If you or a loved one is a victim of a tobacco related injury, call Saladino Oakes & Schaaf now at (270) 444-0406 or Toll Free: 800-564-4238 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A CASE FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.

The above is not legal advice. That can only come from a qualified attorney who is familiar with all the facts and circumstances of a particular, specific case and the relevant law. See Terms of Use.

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