Florida Tobacco Litigation – Engle Trust Fund
Florida smokers and families of those who died may qualify to participate in the Engle Trust Fund of approximately $600 Million dollars. The Florida Engle Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund was set up for the benefit of former Engle Class Members when the tobacco companies wanted to appeal the jury’s unprecedented verdict of $145 billion in damages. Pledging the money allowed the manufacturers to appeal such a large verdict without posting a potentially bankrupting appeal bond. Under the agreement the tobacco manufacturers would set aside a fund of more than $700 million to compensate proper members of the Class, even in the event that the Engle Plaintiffs lost their judgment on appeal. The Florida Supreme Court struck down the jury’s award in 2006.
Judge David C. Miller signed a notice on April 18, 2008, setting the registration deadline for June 16, 2008. People seeking damages must submit contemporaneous, verifiable proof of a tobacco related illness by August 1, 2008 in order to be eligible under the fund.
If you or a loved one have suffered, presently suffer, or have died from a disease and/or medical condition caused by addiction to smoking cigarettes that contained nicotine if, you may be eligible to participate in the Engle Trust Fund. The disease or medical condition must have been first diagnosed or first manifested itself on or before November 21, 1996.
The lawyers of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz are here to help. Contact us at 888-255-AWKO or via the web at www.awkolaw.com to learn about your legal rights.
