RJ Young Loses Another Cancer Lawsuit

Sep 24,2018

Tobacco company RJ Reynolds lost yet another cancer lawsuit last month. A Florida jury determined the company contributed to the 1996 death of truck driver Floyd Olson. The jury handed down a $7.5 million verdict against RJ Reynolds. The plaintiff in the case was Olson’s son, Michael.

Olson was 58 when he died from lung cancer. He had been smoking cigarettes for more than 40 years. According to the lawsuit, Olson’s smoking was driven by a nicotine addiction, and RJ Young participated in a conspiracy to hide the dangers of smoking.

Engle Progeny Lawsuits

The $7.5 million award includes $5 million in compensatory damages and $2.5 million in punitive damages. The lawsuit is one of thousands of “Engle progeny lawsuits” in Florida. These lawsuits stem from a 2006 Florida Supreme Court decision that decertified a 1994 class action lawsuit, Engle v. Liggett Group. The state’s supreme court ruled that the suits in the class action had to be tried individually. However, plaintiffs have been allowed to rely on certain findings in the original case, including the determination that tobacco companies marketed a dangerous product and conspired to hide the dangers of smoking.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured by a defective product and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, El Centro, and Yucca Valley, and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.