houston lawyer who won tabacco lawsuit

Who is the lawyer who took down Big Tobacco?

Nov 21, 1999 · 5 lawyers agree to $3.3 billion for work on Texas tobacco suit. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Five private lawyers will split $3.3 billion for negotiating a multibillion dollar tobacco settlement for Texas. The lawyers could have sought to receive even more money for their work but agreed Friday to take the figure awarded by a national arbitration panel.The money was compensation …

Is there a tobacco class action lawsuit?

May 14, 2001 · Umphrey, 64, head of a 54-lawyer Texas-based firm with offices in Washington, Nashville, Houston and Beaumont, led the team of Texas tortsters in the tobacco litigation. His work representing...

Can a lawyer Help Me Sue a tobacco company?

Tobacco Lawsuit. A tobacco lawsuit may be an option for people who smoked cigarettes and other tobacco products and developed lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Since the 1950s, doctors and other medical professionals have linked cigarettes and smoking to lung cancer and other diseases, such as heart disease.

What percentage do lawyers win in tobacco cases?

Additionally, tobacco claims involve massive amounts of evidence, the hiring of expensive expert witnesses, and aggressive defense strategies. This is why some personal injury lawyers will not take on individual tobacco suits. A class action lawsuit can make the litigation process more efficient, as well as increase the case’s value.

Can tobacco companies sue for lung cancer?

Although scientific evidence has suggested a link between cigarettes and lung cancer for many years, tobacco companies continually fought lawsuits brought against them . Affected individuals and their families may be able to pursue compensation with the help of a product liability attorney.

Can you sue for smoking cigarettes?

A tobacco lawsuit may be an option for people who smoked cigarettes and other tobacco products and developed lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Since the 1950s, doctors and other medical professionals have linked cigarettes and smoking to lung cancer and other diseases, such as heart disease.

What are the health risks of smoking?

Smoking has the potential to harm every organ of the body, affecting a person’s overall health. According to the CDC, other serious health risks linked to cigarettes and smoking include: 1 Risks associated with pregnancy, including preterm delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS or crib death), ectopic pregnancy and orofacial clefts in infants 2 Problems affecting men’s sperm, which can lead to a reduction in fertility and an increase for birth defects and miscarriage 3 Greater risks affecting bone health 4 Tooth loss 5 Increased risk for cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, a condition characterized by damage to a small spot near the center of the retina 6 Risk of developing type 2 diabetes 7 Adverse effects such as inflammation and decreased immune function 8 Risk of rheumatoid arthritis

What is the most common cause of lung cancer?

Pancreas. Stomach. Trachea, bronchus and lung. According to the CDC, cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer and is linked to approximately 80 to 90 percent of lung cancers in the United States.

How many times more likely is it to die from lung cancer if you smoke?

Additionally, people who smoke cigarettes are 15 to 30 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke. Call to Get Help Today: (888) 888-0612.

Is smoking a cause of lung cancer?

Smokers are at greater risk for diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels as well as the lungs. Cigarette smoking is the cause of most cases of lung cancer as well as lung diseases related to smoking, including COPD, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Who regulates cigarettes?

Cigarettes and other tobacco products are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Family Smoking and Prevention Control Act, a federal statute passed by the United States Congress in 2009.

What is tobacco litigation?

Tobacco litigation is a complex and sometimes frustrating process, requiring extensive research and legal expertise. Additionally, tobacco claims involve massive amounts of evidence, the hiring of expensive expert witnesses, and aggressive defense strategies.

What is class action lawsuit?

The term class action refers to a lawsuit which is usually brought by one or more persons. This is on behalf of a group of others who are in a similar situation. Everyone involved is required to share similar legal issues in order to create a class action. Additionally, there must be enough individuals involved in the case ...

What happens if a class action is certified?

If the group is certified, the original group will represent the entire class action group, and it will move forward as a class action lawsuit. If the court refuses to certify the class, they will often give their reason why. Generally speaking, it is because they do not think the class is complete.

What is class action settlement?

Class action settlements are common, and occur when the two parties will determine a settlement. They then present the settlement to the court. If the court approves of the settlement, members of the suit can opt out of the settlement. Any member can object to the settlement with the court.

Is smoking a disease?

The dangers of smoking have been widely documented; as of 2006 the Florida Supreme Court ruled that smoking tobacco can result in a series of cancers, and other illnesses. According to the Center for Disease Control (“CDC”), nearly one in five deaths in the United States is smoking-related.

Which states sued Big Tobacco?

On March 29, 1996, Texas was the sixth state to sue Big Tobacco seeking reimbursement for health care costs related to smoking. Mississippi filed first in 1994, followed by Minnesota, Florida, West Virginia and Louisiana. The lawsuits were considered extreme long shots for success.

Who were the lawyers in the Texas case?

The private lawyers representing Texas — John Eddie Williams, Walter Umphrey, Harold Nix, Wayne Reaud and John O’Quinn — had a contract that said they would pay all the state’s costs in the litigation and would be paid 15 percent of any money they won for the state.

Which state was the first to file in federal court?

Daynard points out that Texas was the first state to file in federal court, which meant its lawyers had nationwide subpoena power to call witnesses. Texas accused the industry of racketeering and operating a criminal organization, which, if proven, would have tripled monetary damages and lawyer fees.

Who Is Eligible to Sue Tobacco Companies?

If you want to sue a tobacco company, there are some formal requirements you will need to meet first. This includes the following:

What are the Steps to Take to Sue a Tobacco Company?

Both individuals and classes of individuals can sue tobacco companies if they are eligible and can fulfill the elements of the applicable causes of action. Keep in mind that class actions or mass tort claims usually do better in these situations because they represent the widespread harm tobacco companies allegedly cause.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Receive from Suing a Tobacco Company?

If a lawsuit against a tobacco company settles or goes to trial, you can receive compensation for injuries or death resulting from cigarette use. Many companies entertain settlements in these cases. As such, it is important to know how tobacco settlement payments to individuals work.

Do I Need an Attorney to Sue Tobacco Companies?

If you wish to sue a tobacco company, there are many benefits to hiring a tobacco settlement lawyer. A tobacco settlement lawyer who has worked on these types of cases in the past is in the unique position to offer valuable input on such a narrow type of case.

When did tobacco lawsuits start?

The following is a brief walkthrough of the lawsuit developments through the years. The first litigants to sue tobacco manufacturers started filing in the 1950s.

Is class action a viable strategy?

As a result of the Engle case and other suits, a class action is largely not considered a viable strategy in most states. The deals that manufacturers made with the states protect them from additional liability in some cases, but not all. Litigants have had some recent successes.

Where did tobacco originate?

Tobacco has a long history in the United States. As a new-world native plant and one of the country’s first cash crops, it was grown from colonial New England all the way down to Spanish Florida.

What is the most common cause of cancer in the esophagus?

Cancer of the esophagus has been attributed to tobacco use with 85% of diagnosed cases linked to tobacco use. Lung cancer. Inhaling cigarette smoke has been determined to be the No. 1 risk factor for developing lung cancer and is attributed with 87% of lung cancer deaths in men and 70% in women.

Is smoking a cause of lung cancer?

Inhaling cigarette smoke has been determined to be the No. 1 risk factor for developing lung cancer and is attributed with 87% of lung cancer deaths in men and 70% in women. The toxic carcinogens inhaled by smokers are believed to damage healthy cells leading them to become cancerous. Mouth cancer.

What are the health effects of smoking cigarettes?

The long-term exposure to cigarette smoke can result in a group of diseases resulting in blocked airflow and breathing-related problems including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Stroke. The risk for stroke in heavy smokers is 3-4X that of nonsmokers.

Does smoking cause macular degeneration?

Studies have exposed an increased risk for macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and other age-related vision loss. Birth Defect. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk for certain birth defects in infants over that of non-smoking mothers.