Wednesday,  December 11 , 2024

Linkedin Pinterest
News / Nation & World

Court: Law doesn’t bar suits against cigarette manufacturers

By DAVE COLLINS, Associated Press
Published: April 25, 2016, 10:46am

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut’s highest court has ruled that lawsuits against cigarette manufacturers aren’t prohibited by an exemption in liability law, bolstering the case of a smoker who got cancer and won a $28 million judgment against a tobacco company.

The decision was released Monday. The Connecticut Supreme Court was asked to decide the issue by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York, which is considering R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.’s appeal of the award.

Norwich, Connecticut, resident Barbara Izzarelli sued the Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based company in 1999 after surviving laryngeal cancer. She smoked the company’s Salem Kings cigarettes for 25 years.

The lawsuit alleged R.J. Reynolds manipulated nicotine in cigarettes to get nonsmokers addicted and smokers to smoke more.

R.J. Reynolds argues such lawsuits are barred by state liability law.

Support local journalism

Your tax-deductible donation to The Columbian’s Community Funded Journalism program will contribute to better local reporting on key issues, including homelessness, housing, transportation and the environment. Reporters will focus on narrative, investigative and data-driven storytelling.

Local journalism needs your help. It’s an essential part of a healthy community and a healthy democracy.

Community Funded Journalism logo
Loading...