Appeals court denies asbestos plantiffs on strategy in class-action lawsuit
Article Abstract:
The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans issued a ruling in an asbestos case that could make it harder for ailing smokers and other injury victims to pursue class action lawsuits. The court rejected an approach under which plaintiffs' lawyers in a Tyler, Texas, case would have been allowed to present evidence against asbestos products makers based on random sampling of victims, and then extrapolate from those victims to calculate the damages owed to thousands of other plaintiffs with similar claims. The appeals court said the plan violated the rights of the asbestos defendants to have a single jury determine whether a crime was committed and how much should be paid in damages.
Comment:
An appeals court issued a ruling that could make it harder to file a class action lawsuit
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
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Massachusetts quits group of 9 states seeking a deal with cigarette makers
Article Abstract:
The state of Massachusetts has withdrawn from talks between nine other states and cigarette manufacturers who are attempting to bring about a national tobacco deal out of court. Scott Harshbarger, the Attorney General of Massachusetts, stated that he would concentrate all of his attention on the lawsuit that he filed in a Massachusetts court. Mr. Harshbarger claimed that the tobacco industry was stalling in the negotiations over a settlement.
Comment:
Mass: Massachusetts withdraws from settlement negotiations between nine other states and cigarette manufacturers
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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