Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
This settlement is closed!
Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!
Philip Morris USA Inc. has agreed to pay $45 million to settle a class action lawsuit that accused the company of marketing Marlboro Lights and Marlboro Ultra Lights as “healthier” than regular cigarettes.
The settlement will resolve a class action lawsuit filed by plaintiffs Wayne Miner and James Easley in 2003.
The plaintiffs say they smoked about two packs of Marlboro Lights per day until 2000, believing them to be a safer alternative to regular cigarettes.
According to the class action lawsuit, Philip Morris marketed and sold Marlboro Lights and Marlboro Ultra Lights with misleading phrases such as “lower tar and nicotine.”
Miner and Easley claim that Marlboro Lights do not have lower tar and nicotine than regular Marlboros and in fact may be more dangerous because consumers might end up smoking more cigarettes to get the amount of nicotine they require.
This class action lawsuit does not cover actual damages suffered from addiction or health-related injuries, however Class Members who file a Claim Form can recover partial reimbursement for each pack purchased in Arkansas between 1971 and 2010.
Philip Morris continues to deny the allegations but agreed to settle the class action to avoid the risk and expense of further litigation.
The Court has not decided who is right.
Those Class Members who want to object to the settlement or be excluded must do so by Nov. 1, 2016.
Who’s Eligible
Class Members include all persons who bought Marlboro Light or Marlboro Ultra Light cigarettes in the state of Arkansas for personal consumption between Nov. 1, 1971 and June 22, 2010.
Potential Award
Varies.
Payments will be made to Class Members who file valid claims in the following calculations:
- 10 cents per pack for each pack purchased between Nov. 1, 1971 and Apr. 17, 1998
- 25 cents per pack for each pack purchased between Apr. 18, 1998 and Apr. 18, 2003
- 10 cents per pack for each pack purchased between Apr. 19, 2003 and June 22, 2010
“If the total value of submitted claims exceeds the money available in the Settlement Fund, each claim payment will be reduced pro rata. If the total value of submitted claims are less than the money available in the Settlement Fund, each claim payment may be increased pro rata.”
Proof of Purchase
N/A.
In order to benefit from this settlement, you must file a Claim Form no later than Dec. 1, 2016.
Claim Form
Claim Form Deadline
12/01/2016
Case Name
Wayne Miner and James Easley v. Philip Morris USA Inc. Case No. 60-cv-2003-4661, in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County, Arkansas
Final Hearing
11/21/2016
UPDATE: On November 21, 2016, the court granted the Arkansas Marlboro Lights settlement final approval. Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
UPDATE 2: On April 17, 2017, Top Class Actions viewers started receiving checks in the mail worth as much as $7,888! Congratulations to all our readers who filed a claim and got paid!
Settlement Website
www.MarlboroLightsClass.com
Claims Administrator
Marlboro Lights Settlement Administrator
PO Box 4349
Portland, OR 97208-4349
1-877-625-9432
Email: info@MarlboroLightsClass.com
Class Counsel
Thomas P. Thrash
Marcus N. Bozeman
THRASH LAW FIRM P.A.
Dewitt M. Lovelace
LOVELACE AND ASSOCIATES P.A.
John Eddie Williams, Jr.
Edwin Armistead Easterby
Brian Abramson
Sean McCarthy
WILLIAMS, KHERKHER, HART, BOUNDAS LLP
Joe J. Fisher, II
Guy Fisher
W. Michael Hamilton
PROVOST UMPHREY LAW FIRM LLP
Defense Counsel
John Massaro
ARNOLD & PORTER LLP
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
100 thoughts onArkansas Marlboro Lights Class Action Settlement
I am in
I am so disappointed I just found my check for $1973.95 my mom misplaced it. I called Tom Thrasher the attorney the Pulaski Court said could reissue me the check. However, he is telling me the check cant be reissued and that all the accounts are closed…I really can’t understand how he cant reissue the check. He was so rude to me I just gracefully hung up…
Are they still sending check out in December?
I have received 2 checks. Has anyone else received more than one or two checks?
Thanks ?
Angela
Sharon did you just get your check for this settlement in September?
No she just received them by the way she worded her reply…. and she didn’t disclose the amount she received….I am waiting on this one and it is the holidays too lol….
Never got my check!!