Lawsuit against Chewing Tobacco Firm Settled for $5M
The company that manufactures Skoal and Copenhagen smokeless tobacco has settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed against them after a man reportedly died from mouth cancer. 42-year-old Bobby Hill’s family will receive $5 million in the settlement agreement against the company. The report on detnews.com states this is the first wrongful death lawsuit settlement over chewing tobacco. The U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company will handle the payment of the award to the family.
The case against the tobacco company was aided when several documented letters sent from the manufacturer to minors that purchased smokeless tobacco were uncovered and used against the company. The report states the company sent those minors free samples of smokeless tobacco and, in one instance, sent one of the minors a can opener.
Due to the nature of this product, it is very easy to see the dangers in using it. Many lawsuits against companies selling tobacco products usually involve cigarettes or other tobacco products because the evidence that they can provide is much stronger. A director of Tobacco Products Liability at Northeastern University stated there could potentially be more lawsuits occurring involving smokeless tobacco. Tobacco companies had been trying to fight against putting stronger warning labels on their products prior to this lawsuit settlement. If more lawsuits do occur and settlements are handed out, it could potentially weaken the tobacco companies’ position in this matter.
