Tobacco suit: round II; plaintiffs' lawyers pledge to file class actions in all 50 states

Article Abstract:

The May 23, 1996, decertification of class action status for Castano v. The American Tobacco Co and dismissal of the suit has not daunted the anti-tobacco movement, which plans to file similar actions in all 50 states. The tobacco companies point out that they have never ended up losing a case and are ready for the onslaught. Kenneth Starr argued the suit for the tobacco companies in addition to his Whitewater duties and stated that the ruling vindicated the inappropriateness of the class action route for deciding on these novel claims.

United States, Class actions (Civil procedure), Class action lawsuits, Product liability, Products liability, Tobacco, states

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Asbestos makers lose big trial; Baltimore judge consolidated 8,555 claims to clear docket, force settlements

Article Abstract:

As many as 100,000 asbestos cases are pending at both the federal and state levels. In 1991, 26,000 of the federal cases were consolidated. When a consolidated trial of 8,555 state cases ended in July 1992, 94 of the 100 defendants had settled, vindicating consolidation's goal of encouraging settlement and reducing court congestion and delay. Opponents of consolidation fear justice can be compromised, claiming that many plaintiffs come away with insufficient damages while others may never receive notice of the suit.

Analysis, Cases, Mass tort suits, Asbestos, Complex litigation

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