According to the AP, an American whose mother died of lung cancer, has decided to sue the tobacco company Philip Morris USA. The amount of the claim amounts to $ 14 million. If the tobacco giant to lose, the amount of payments to 13.8 million dollars will be the largest in the practice of U.S. companies.
Jody Bullock, a 64-year-old whose mother died of lung cancer caused by smoking, filed a lawsuit against the company in April 2001. In her opinion, the company Philip Morris guilty of fraud and violation of rules of production.
In 2002, the jury considered the case, the court offered compensation in the amount of 850 thousand dollars and fines of $ 28 billion dollars for the payment by Philip Morris. The court decided to reduce the amount of fines up to $ 28 million.
The company Philip Morris has appealed, after considering that the case was sent for re-examination. Lawyers defending the interests of Philip Morris, believe that the amount of fines is too high.
Representatives of the company Altria Group (parent company of tobacco giant) stated that any payment Jody Bullock will not be made on the slightest grounds. Her mother is actively smoked since 17 years, and throughout the life she had the opportunity to take up this habit.
This case is not the first in the U.S., where claims against the tobacco companies from relatives of people who die from smoking - not a rarity. In early 2009, the Court of Florida recognized the legitimate claims of the widow of a deceased smoker. The court, the company Philip Morris must pay her $ 8 million compensation. Three years ago a similar claim was rejected by the Supreme Court of the United States. Each year in the U.S. courts receive many complaints on the tobacco companies, but only few of them appear in court.
As reported earlier, in March 2009 of throat cancer, died actor Alan Lenders, who represented the Winston brand in advertising. Before his death, he went to court with claims to the company RJ Reynolds, which manufactures cigarettes Camel, Pall Mall, Winston and Salem.
