Finally Going After Tobacco Co's

bjb

I have lost three grandparents to lung cancer. Now my Dad is sick. I just went through a horrible ordeal with he and my mother, where he was rushed to the hospital and barely survived.

I've recently become an attorney and wanted by bosses to go after the tobacco companies for peddling death with the full knowledge of the addictive nature of their product. My bosses said they didn't want to do it because the cases were too expensive to litigate, too time consuming, and ended up in the appelate courts for years. Well, I finally convinced them to do it. I told them it was a personal mission of mine, and that they had a moral obligation to the public since the public has paid their rent (we are a class action law firm).

I've spoken with a couple of people here about going through this with me, and they seem reluctant, and sometimes a little creeped out. One poor woman thought it was a scam or we're a bunch of ambulance chasers. It isn't, and we're not. I just don't understand the lack of anger and indignation. Am I naive? After a year of dealing with this will I also lose my desire to fight? Feel free to correct or enlighten me, any advice is sincerely appreciated.

Anyhow, I'm sorry if I sound like a bitter lunatic, I'm really not. If anyone wants to look into this further, send me an email. I'm going to need help and lung cancer patients/families.
Thanks.

bygrace

Sorry Brent, I'm the poor woman that asked if you were an ambulance chaser. It was just my poor attempt at humor... sorry. I bet that your dad is so proud of you and he should be. Win or lose the case... anything that raises public awareness is worth it. I am totally behind you and supportive and wish to be kept informed of your efforts. Haven't people already won cases against tobacco companies? As a mom of teenagers I hate that this product is still marketed to them. Let us know what we can do to help. Terri

antsynancy

How does the law suit work? Are there states that have already gotten settlements from the tobacco companies and then residents in those states can't file a law suit? I don't know. I am a previous smoker and of course, had lung cancer. I may be interested in joining you, please contact me.

Nancy
bushwacker2002@modempool.com

metvan

I lost my mother 3 months ago to SCLC and I would love to sue if I could. I checked into this when she was diagnosed because I was so mad that I was going to lose her, but was told that Texas had already settled a suit here which meant I couldn't persue action on my own. If there is any way I could join another class action suit, I would LOVE to. After caring for my mom this past year, I think it is reprehensible that a company can actually continue to make money selling a product that would cause so much illness and misery. Please contact me with more info at michellevandever@hotmail.com

momsdaughter

I am so sorry for everything you have had to go through. My mother has smoked for 40 years and has been diagnosed with lung cancer. They have given her 6-12 months. She is participating in an experimental drug program so we pray for her recovery each day. I begged her to stop smoking from the time I was a small child. I used to hide her cigarettes in the trash so she couldn't smoke. She has quit a dozen times only to go back to the habit. The ironic thing is that she had finally really quit about 3 months before her diagnosis. What I am getting to is this, she chose to smoke, she even chose to quit. I can say that tobacco companies knew the risk but they didn't force my mother to light up a cigarette, and once she did they did not force her to continue to smoke for 40 years. I love my mother and I feel like I can't breath when I think about the fact that she probably won't be here at Christmas, she'll never see her grandchild grow up. I still need her in my life and I am so angry and lost. But I can't blame a company for something that my mother chose to do.

bygrace

momsdaughter said:

I am so sorry for everything you have had to go through. My mother has smoked for 40 years and has been diagnosed with lung cancer. They have given her 6-12 months. She is participating in an experimental drug program so we pray for her recovery each day. I begged her to stop smoking from the time I was a small child. I used to hide her cigarettes in the trash so she couldn't smoke. She has quit a dozen times only to go back to the habit. The ironic thing is that she had finally really quit about 3 months before her diagnosis. What I am getting to is this, she chose to smoke, she even chose to quit. I can say that tobacco companies knew the risk but they didn't force my mother to light up a cigarette, and once she did they did not force her to continue to smoke for 40 years. I love my mother and I feel like I can't breath when I think about the fact that she probably won't be here at Christmas, she'll never see her grandchild grow up. I still need her in my life and I am so angry and lost. But I can't blame a company for something that my mother chose to do.

this is for momsdaughter. I lost my mom to lung cancer when she was just 52. Now my dad is dying from this awful disease. I have to give them the benefit of the doubt about "choosing" to continue smoking. When they started they didn't know that it was addictive... I remember the year the surgeon general came out with the warning. They were already heavy smokers. They tried on occasion to quit.. unsuccesfully. I guess that is why they call it addictive. I can't imagine with all we know now that people would start.. but they do. Especially low tactics.. using that cute camel to try to appeal to kids. I have to believe these people can find a living another way. But momsdaughter I respect your opinion and you are obviously a strong lady. God bless you.

jera_C

You're not off base at all. My cousin used to work for the advertising agency for Winston/Salem cigarettes. They were highly agressive in their marketing. Actually, they used to pass out free samples on Hollywood Blvd, right around the corner from Hollywood Hi School, and age didn't matter.

They have been marketing death and always knew it.

Although your firm is right about the cost and time it takes to litigate, the attorney who won the billion dollar settlement in Calif., willingly shares all his information for free with any attorney who will take up the cause. I, of course have lung cancer an finally found an attorney willing to litigate my case.

jera_C

momsdaughter said:

I am so sorry for everything you have had to go through. My mother has smoked for 40 years and has been diagnosed with lung cancer. They have given her 6-12 months. She is participating in an experimental drug program so we pray for her recovery each day. I begged her to stop smoking from the time I was a small child. I used to hide her cigarettes in the trash so she couldn't smoke. She has quit a dozen times only to go back to the habit. The ironic thing is that she had finally really quit about 3 months before her diagnosis. What I am getting to is this, she chose to smoke, she even chose to quit. I can say that tobacco companies knew the risk but they didn't force my mother to light up a cigarette, and once she did they did not force her to continue to smoke for 40 years. I love my mother and I feel like I can't breath when I think about the fact that she probably won't be here at Christmas, she'll never see her grandchild grow up. I still need her in my life and I am so angry and lost. But I can't blame a company for something that my mother chose to do.

momsdaughter, I've also smoked for about 40 years and I do blame the tobacco companies. I would agree with you if someone took up smoking after the dangers of it were known. However, when I started nothing was said about the dangers of it and cigarettes were marketed anywhere and everywhere as the 'cool' thing to be doing.

The other thing about them is how highly addictive they are. Heck in my lifetime, I've quit amphetimines, valium, alcohol, but still can't quit smoking. I have a friend who quit Heroin, Cocaine, Alcohol, but can't quit smoking. My point is that cigarettes are more addictive than any other drug out there both legal and illegal, and the whole point of the marketing back in the 50's and early 60's, was to get people hooked. Haven't you read that the manufacturers were adding additives to the tobacco to make them even more addictive? Well, they were and you should blame the tobacco companies!

bobz1

Looks like you hit the nail on the head.You recived 7 replys. Thatis more intrest then anyone has sturred up in quite a while. Here in south Florida we have a lawyre named Stanly Goldblat, that took on the big companys and WON.I thrwe my name in the pot. That was over 4 years ago and I have notheard a thing. I was a heavy smoker.STILL MISS THEM SMOKES. I had Cancer in both lungs. That was over 10 years ago. Im still being treated for it.Ill be glad to work with you if you need me. Bob Z (561)965-2033 Email kay1847@webtv.net. Let me hear from you

bobmc

Hey Bjb:
Good for you, sue em big time, Tobacco companies have known that nicotine is highly addictive since the mid-60's, some say as addictive as heroin. They have also known that it causes lung cancer. "Marketer's of death" is well put. It seems the tobacco $'s are going everywhere but where they should and that's for early detection, prevention, and research of lung cancer. An obviously for smoking cessation. It's getting to the point where the tax $'s on em are as addictive to the politicians as the butts to those that smoke. It's becoming counter productive if you know what I mean. Sorry, I'm rambling a bit but ya hit a nerve. I've actually been researching for an attorney to file a suit, but not a class action(better for the attorney but maybe more difficult to win-not sure). Anyway, my brother-inlaw's an attorney and your right about the litigation $'s and time. I'm also a member of ASH, which is a good site for info. I wish you well and certainly good luck; and I will help if possible.
PS - my gallery story is titled " Marlboro Miles and Lung Cancer"
God Bless & be well
Bobmc-NSCLC-stage IIB-left pneumonectomy 5/2/01
"absolutely insist on enjoying life today"

jera_C

bobmc said:

Hey Bjb:
Good for you, sue em big time, Tobacco companies have known that nicotine is highly addictive since the mid-60's, some say as addictive as heroin. They have also known that it causes lung cancer. "Marketer's of death" is well put. It seems the tobacco $'s are going everywhere but where they should and that's for early detection, prevention, and research of lung cancer. An obviously for smoking cessation. It's getting to the point where the tax $'s on em are as addictive to the politicians as the butts to those that smoke. It's becoming counter productive if you know what I mean. Sorry, I'm rambling a bit but ya hit a nerve. I've actually been researching for an attorney to file a suit, but not a class action(better for the attorney but maybe more difficult to win-not sure). Anyway, my brother-inlaw's an attorney and your right about the litigation $'s and time. I'm also a member of ASH, which is a good site for info. I wish you well and certainly good luck; and I will help if possible.
PS - my gallery story is titled " Marlboro Miles and Lung Cancer"
God Bless & be well
Bobmc-NSCLC-stage IIB-left pneumonectomy 5/2/01
"absolutely insist on enjoying life today"

By state, this is a list of attorney's who do individual Tobacco Litigation. http://www.ttlaonline.com/toppage1.htm

My email is jera_wolf@netzero.net. Since, until I found one, I've already talked to a few attorneys, I generally know what they're looking for in taking on clients. I'll gladly share that with anyone who's interested.

bjb

jera_C said:

By state, this is a list of attorney's who do individual Tobacco Litigation. http://www.ttlaonline.com/toppage1.htm

My email is jera_wolf@netzero.net. Since, until I found one, I've already talked to a few attorneys, I generally know what they're looking for in taking on clients. I'll gladly share that with anyone who's interested.

Thank you all for your replies and advice, it is all very much appreciated. One misunderstanding I should clear up is this: We are going to sign up people as individual cases, not class action. Some of you may have gotten that impression because I spoke of our duty to the public. It is rare to do class action suits in personal injury cases because to get a class certified, all injuries must be the same. It's not just lung cancer either, but all aspects of the case such as how long you suffer, how many family members affected, age afflicted, etc. As you can see, each case would be different and a class therefore would not be certified by the court.

I'll be emailing everyone who replied to this message to clear up this point once I get the mail service at this site to work, I'm having some difficulties for some reason.

It's probably the tobacco companies trying to hack into my mail!!!

june19521

I have smoked since the age of 11 I am now 50. I have SCLC. I have had all the treatments and then it spread to my brain. We are trying now to get it out of the brain. I will know in April if that worked. As far as the tobacco companies go in my state they take the money that the tobacco companies gave them and they use it for everything but what it was intended. I say i paid all those years for the posion that was in those cigarettes that we were not told about until it finally came out. But we are hooked now. Why don't they pay for the medicine that my insurance won't cover for me like pills that cost $25.00 a pill so I won't get sick and throw up after I have chemo and radiation treatments. Or how about the cloths I need now that I had to take this steroid that put on 50 pounds. Why are they not paying me for my suffering. Yes once we found out that the tobacco companies put the posions in the cigarettes it was too late to stop we are hooked and it is worse then being on drugs. Why becasue it is legal we can so we do. Your not naive. People just feel guilty after we found out we should have quit smoking. But we were so hooked on them by then we just lived in this fantasy world that nothing was going to happen to us. Well trust me it can and it does. I of course no longer smoke, but I can tell you I miss it something awful. junebugin2000@netscape.net