The agreement settles all claims the states brought or could have brought against the tobacco companies based on any tobacco company action taken before the settlement. The settled claims not only include any claims for Medicaid reimbursements, but also all other civil claims (e.g., anti-trust, consumer protection, common law negligence) or statutory claims the states could have brought against the tobacco companies. The agreement also settles all potential claims by the states against the tobacco companies based on the companies' future acts that pertain to the use of or exposure to tobacco products manufactured by the companies, including any claims for related health costs (but does not block traditional consumer protection, fraud, and anti-trust actions by the states). The agreement not only covers all such claims by the state itself, but also covers any such claims by cities and counties or by citizens acting as private attorney generals pursuant to existing state laws. The agreement does not block any potential claims against the tobacco companies based on future actions not related to the use of or exposure to their tobacco products, nor does it block any possible lawsuits by Indian tribes or private citizens, including class actions. It also does not effect any possible lawsuits that might bring criminal charges against the tobacco companies.
Back to Top Home Settlement Points: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]
|
