Judge Reportedly Urges End to All Tobacco Suits
04/19/00
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge has ordered tobacco companies and lawyers for plaintiffs to work on a framework for a global settlement that would effectively end all suits against the tobacco industry in the United States, the Wall Street journal re
``The time for bringing a close to tobacco litigation is nigh,'' the newspaper quoted U.S. District Judge Jack Weinstein as saying in an order issued in Brooklyn federal court Tuesday. His order followed an impromptu hearing with tobacco industry and plaintiffs' lawyers.
The newspaper said any settlement would include a class-action suit before Judge Weinstein on behalf of U.S. smokers with lung cancer.
Weinstein, who has been involved in past settlements over asbestos and Agent Orange injury claims, currently has six tobacco lawsuits pending before him.