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Negligence Litigation Success

Multi-Employer Health & Welfare Trust Funds File Class Action Suit Against Tobacco Industry

Today in the Federal District Court in Beaumont, Texas, a major lawsuit was filed on behalf of all Texas Multi-Employer Trust Funds against twelve companies and firms within the Tobacco Industry. The case filed by Dallas Trial Lawyer Windle Turley and the Washington, D.C. firm of Connerton & Ray, is similar to the action brought by the Texas Attorney General against the tobacco industry for restitution of medical payments incurred because of smoking disease and injury. Windle Turley, attorney for the plaintiffs stated, "The tobacco industry and their public relations organizations conspired for decades to conceal the truth about the addictive and injurious nature of tobacco products and the tobacco industry had engaged in a massive advertising and promotion program which targets young people. As alleged in suit papers filed today we expect to prove these facts to the jury that will hear the case."

The suit is brought on behalf of the class of approximately 40 multi-employer trust funds in the State of Texas, each comprising of several thousand members and their families, who have over the past years and will in the future incur many millions of dollars in medical payments for tobacco related disease and injury.

Plaintiffs' class action lawsuit asked the court to require the tobacco defendants to repay all of the tobacco injury costs and losses incurred by multi-employer trust funds; to disclose the industry's research and knowledge about nicotine addiction and tobacco injury; to undertake an aggressive and widespread program to eradicate smoking among teens; and to reduce smoking in those presently addicted.

The 106 page complaint filed against the tobacco industry represents an ongoing effort to engage the industry on the issue of repayment of past and future medical bills related to tobacco product injury and death.

For More Information Contact:
Windle Turley, Law Offices of Windle Turley, of Dallas, Texas
214-691-4025 or 1-800-692-4025, fax 214-361-5802
6440 North Central Expressway
1000 Turley Law Center
Dallas, Texas 75214