SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Non-Tech : Philip Morris - A Stock For Wealth Or Poverty (MO)
MO 65.400.0%Feb 6 9:30 AM EST

 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Rarebird who wrote (2045)8/5/1998 9:54:00 PM
From: Ian@SI  Read Replies (1) of 6439
 
Looks like Oregon just assessed a 15 yard penalty for Piling On. :-)

Wednesday August 5, 7:14 pm Eastern Time

Company Press Release

Union Fund Lawsuit Dismissed in Oregon

Philip Morris U.S.A. Hails Ruling by Federal Court

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 5, 1998--A federal court in Portland today dismissed in its entirety a health care reimbursement lawsuit brought on behalf of a purported class of more than 50 labor union funds in Oregon.

In his 28-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Malcolm Marsh said the labor funds had no legal basis on which to sue the tobacco industry because the funds had not sustained any direct harm. ''To allow plaintiffs to maintain actions that are entirely dependent upon the harm suffered by others threatens chaos for the judicial system, especially where others may (and have) filed their own actions and are capable of recovering a full range of damages, including the medical costs sought here,'' said the court.

The ruling, the latest in a series of such dismissals of labor fund cases, affirms the industry's position that these cases are merely attempts to jump on a perceived legal bandwagon that in truth is heading nowhere.

''This ruling shows that these cases are frivolous, and the courts are not being fooled by political rhetoric,'' said Steven B. Rissman, senior counsel for Philip Morris. ''Ultimately, all of these labor fund cases should go the way of Oregon -- thrown out on the legal merits.''

Today's decision follows similar rulings by federal courts dismissing labor fund cases in Florida, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Other federal and state courts in California and New York have dismissed substantial portions of labor fund cases.

Contact:

Philip Morris
KEN SEDA, 212/878-2144
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext