Know Any Florida Residents Who Got Cancer (or Other Serious Disease) From Smoking Cigarettes Before 1997? Court Ruling Makes It Easier to Sue Tobacco Companies
A recent Florida Supreme Court ruling may allow certain cigarette smokers or their families to file individual monetary claims against tobacco companies. The key requirement is that the smoker must have had symptoms or was diagnosed with cancer (or some other serious disease) as a result of smoking cigarettes before Nov. 21, 1996.
Pensacola, FL (PRWEB) September 14, 2006 -- Tobacco companies must be furious. A recent ruling by the Florida Supreme Court (No. SC03-1856) is expected to incite a hailstorm of litigation from all over the Sunshine State.
Floridians will be coming out of the woodwork for this one.
The impact of the ruling is as follows: If a Florida resident got a form of cancer or some other serious disease (such as coronary heart disease, complications of pregnancy, peripheral vascular disease, etc.) before November 21, 1996 as a result of smoking cigarettes, he or she may be able to file a monetary claim against the tobacco companies.
The ruling also applies to individuals who have passed away or quit smoking. “The key is that the diagnosis or symptoms must have occurred before November 21, 1996,” explains Florida attorney, Samuel Bearman. “If the smoker has already passed away, the smoker’s family may still be able to file the monetary claim.”
These tobacco cases are significantly different than the previously litigated tobacco cases.
“First off, these cases will be filed as individual lawsuits, not as a class action,” Bearman says. “This simplifies the litigation process a lot. Secondly, the Court won’t require plaintiffs to prove fraud or deceptive practices by the tobacco companies. It will be assumed as fact.”
Bearman, who handles cases like tobacco litigation and other lawsuits against big companies, adds, “We’re receiving phone calls from people in all parts of Florida. We’re meeting with potential clients as quickly as possible because the Florida Supreme Court has set a deadline for when these special cases can be filed.”
Mr. Bearman is offering a free consultation to anyone who has questions about this ruling or who believes he or she might have a case. He is also giving a free copy of the Court’s ruling to anyone who requests it. For more information, call: (800) 760-6065 or visit his web site at www.BearmanLaw.com.
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