BEAUMONT, Texas, March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- A Jefferson County District Court
jury here has found in favor of Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation in a
product liability lawsuit brought by the family of a smoker. The case was
first brought in 1995 against the American Tobacco Company, to which Brown &
Williamson is successor by merger.
The lawsuit involved claims by Jeannie Grinnell and the estate of her
husband, Wiley Grinnell, Jr., against the company for injuries allegedly due
to Mr. Grinnell's smoking from 1952 to 1985.
Sam Cruse, attorney representing Brown & Williamson in the case said,
"Today's verdict for the defense reflects recognition by the jury that the
company acted responsibly. The jury's conclusions are consistent with the
majority of court decisions, agreeing that smoking is a matter of personal
choice."
The court victory is the sixth straight win for the tobacco company since
Jan. 1.
Thomas Riley, also representing the company, noted that this was the third
jury in as many months to find in favor of the company. "We will continue to
vigorously defend ourselves in these cases and we are confident in the wisdom
of future jurors to favor common sense regarding personal responsibility," he
said.
Based in Louisville, Ky., Brown & Williamson is the nation's third largest
manufacturer and marketer of tobacco products. The company's major brands
include KOOL, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, GPC, Carlton, Capri and Misty.
For more information on tobacco litigation and other issues, visit
http://www.brownandwilliamson.com
SOURCE Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.brownandwilliamson.com
CONTACT:
Mark Smith, 502-568-7603, or Steve Kottak,
502-568-7193, both of Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
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