Vasko v. R.J. Reynolds

VERDICT

Trial
10/27/10 – 11/04/10

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Summary

In this Engle progeny tobacco litigation proceeding, plaintiff Beverly Glass alleged R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company of fraudulent concealment of dangers of smoking cigarettes manufactured by the company, which led John Vasko to get addicted to smoking at an early age. The plaintiff also alleged the company of being liable of manufacturing defective cigarettes, which caused Mr. Vasko’s death due to COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

According to the defense, Mr. Vasko smoked due to choice -- he did not even try to quit before the 1980's. Moreover, the defense asserted, the statute of limitations would bar Mr. Vasko's recovery based on membership in the Engle-class because Mr. Vasko should have known on or before May 5, 1990, four years prior to the original Engle filing, that he had a smoking-related illness, based on symptoms in the 1980's that eventually led to a diagnosis of COPD, and which Mr. Vasko allegedly attributed to smoking.

The plaintiff was represented by attorney Stuart Ratzan. The defendant in this case, R.J. Reynolds was represented by attorneys Steven Geise and Jason Keehfus.

The jury agreed with the plaintiff that Mr. Vasko's nicotine addiction was the legal cause of his Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), but agreed with the defense that the statute of limitations barred the claim.



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Outcome

Nicotine addiction was a legal cause of plaintiff's COPD, but that the statute of limitations barred the claim.

Case Information
Attorneys
Witnesses
Plaintiff
Defense
Judge
Jack Tuter
Jurisdiction
17th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Court
Judicial Complex
Case Number
CACE08001124
Industry
Tobacco
Practice Area
Products Liability, Tobacco, Toxic Torts, Negligence, Tort Law
Plaintiff
Glass, Beverly
Defense
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
Expert Witnesses
Lay Witnesses

Sessions

OCT
27
OCT
28
OCT
29
PM Session
Not in Session
0 Chapters
NOV
1
NOV
2
NOV
3
NOV
4

Recording Disclaimer: This proceeding was recorded in full.

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