Supreme Court Ruling on "Engle" Class Action

The Supreme Court ruling on the "Engle" class action was significant for several reasons. This decision will and already has impacted both the tobacco industry and individual Florida smokers. Some could say there are two winners in this case, although history may show that the smoking victims of Florida will look back on this decision with gratitude.

The tobacco industry will look upon the Supreme Court ruling on the "Engle" class action in a positive light, but only in a technical sense. The Florida Supreme Court held that a class action suit with over 300,000 plaintiffs that awarded $145 billion in punitive damages was excessive. The Court ruled this way because the verdict would most likely cause the tobacco companies to file bankruptcy. Since the Court ruled that the class action size was too large, the individuals that were members of the class will now have to file their case individually. Although it is hard to say how many victims will actually file a suit, history has shown that in all likelihood, not every member of the class will do so.

The Supreme Court ruling on the "Engle" class action does carry a significant potential benefit for the individuals who were part of the original class action. They were not awarded the punitive damages of $145 billion, but the Florida Supreme Court's decision confirmed that nicotine is addictive, that tobacco companies knowingly put a dangerous product on the market, and that their product causes 16 major diseases, just to name a few of their findings. Holding the tobacco company accountable for these and a handful of other issues was an historic finding, and will make the individual cases that are filed much easier to prove as a matter of law. Since the adverse effects of smoking on one's health has already been determined, your attorney will need only to prove your health condition and how it has impacted your life. This will by no means guarantee a positive result, but the burden of proving damages is much lower in nature.

The Supreme Court ruling on the "Engle" class action has made it easier for individuals to win in a lawsuit against the tobacco industry, even though the original class action verdict was overturned. If you reside in Florida or have a loved that does and you have or are suffering from a health condition that may be a result of smoking, you do not have time to wait to contact an attorney. There is a limited amount of time for an individual to be able to file a lawsuit, so time is of the essence. Contact an attorney and protect your rights today.