WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Aug. 29 LAWFUEL – Legal News Network — R.J. Reynolds
Tobacco Company is pleased that a Federal District Court in Massachusetts
has dismissed a lawsuit brought against the company and other tobacco
manufacturers by United Seniors Association, Inc. (United Seniors). This is the fourth federal court to dismiss claims against the tobacco industry
under the Medicare as a Secondary Payer law.
United Seniors was seeking to recover medical expense reimbursements
made by Medicare since Aug. 4, 1999, to treat Medicare recipients for
illnesses attributable to cigarette smoking.
“This ruling confirms yet again that these types of lawsuits simply
lack merit,” says Martin L. Holton III, deputy general counsel for
litigation at R.J. Reynolds.
In his ruling, Judge Richard G. Stearns stated: “This case is a reprise
of claims against the tobacco industry brought by the federal government in the late 1990’s seeking to recoup Medicare costs incurred in treating
smoking- related illnesses … These efforts by the government came largely to naught, with most courts rejecting the government’s various theories of tobacco company liability.”
The motion to dismiss was argued on June 29.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, an indirect subsidiary of Reynolds
American Inc. (NYSE: RAI), is the second-largest tobacco company in the
United States, manufacturing about one of every three cigarettes sold in
the country. The company’s brands include five of the 10 best-selling U.S. cigarette brands: Camel, Kool, Winston, Salem and Doral. For more
information, visit http://www.RJRT.com.
