Court to notify consumers who purchased Marlboro Lights or Marlboro Ultra Lights in the state of Arkansas, that they could get money from a class action settlement.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Sept. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A $45 million Settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against Philip Morris USA Inc. ("Philip Morris") about, among other things, whether Marlboro Lights and Marlboro Ultra Lights cigarettes were deceptively advertised, marketed and sold as healthier to smoke than regular cigarettes. Philip Morris denies the allegations in the lawsuit, and the Court has not decided who is right.
The Settlement includes all persons who purchased Marlboro Light or Marlboro Ultra Light cigarettes in the state of Arkansas for personal consumption from November 1, 1971 through June 22, 2010.
Class Benefits include the $45 Million Settlement Fund, which will be used to make payments to Class members and for the cost of administration of the Settlement, attorneys' fees and litigation costs, and Class Representative fees.
Payments will be made to Class members who file valid claims and will be calculated as follows:
- 10 cents per pack for each pack purchased between November 1, 1971 and April 17, 1998;
- 25 cents per pack for each pack purchased between April 18, 1998 and April 18, 2003; and
- 10 cents per pack for each pack purchased between April 19, 2003 and June 22, 2010.
The final value of each claim may be adjusted up or down pro rata depending on the number of claims filed.
In addition to the cash benefits to the Class, Plaintiffs claim to have benefited the Class through the litigation activity, publicity and public awareness, which helped result in the removal of Marlboro Lights and Marlboro Ultra Lights from the market.
Class Members can easily file a claim online at www.MarlboroLightsClass.com. Class Members may also download a Claim Form from the website or call the toll-free number or request a Claim Form be mailed to them. Claims must be filed online no later than midnight Central Time on December 1, 2016. Claim Forms sent by mail must be postmarked on or before December 1, 2016.
Class Members who do not want to be legally bound by the Settlement, must exclude themselves by November 1, 2016. Class Members who exclude themselves from the Settlement cannot file a claim and will not get a payment from the Settlement Fund. Class Members who do not timely exclude themselves will release any claims they may have against Philip Morris relating to the lawsuit. Class Members may object to the Settlement by November 1, 2016. A Detailed Notice available on the website explains how to exclude or object. The Court will hold a Hearing on November 21, 2016 to consider whether to approve the Settlement. Class Members may appear at the hearing, either by themselves or through an attorney hired by them, but don't have to. Class Counsel will also request an award of attorney's fees and Service Awards for the Class Representatives to be paid from the Settlement Fund, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses. For more information, call the toll free number or visit the website.
SOURCE Circuit Court for Pulaski County, Arkansas
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