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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
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100 thoughts onArkansas Marlboro Lights Class Action Settlement
Are checks being mailed over a period of days ?
A friend now living in southern CA got his Monday. I also moved from AK to CA, rural area up north,but mine has not yet been received.
Should I be patient or inquire ?
Thanks !
I inquired by email but still waiting on a reply. My mother received her check and my cousin, however I didn’t nor did my grandmother so I inquired about ours. I’ll let you know if they reply to my email with any information that may be useful to you as well.
Just call – in the time it takes to post the question, you can make the call to the toll free number and ask directly. I mean really.
Has anyone cashed or deposited there’s successfully?
Theirs*
I’m curious as well, the lady on the claims number said if our bank has any problems, to have them call and they will verify if needed.
did form ever advise that you cannot claim any packs for specific under age? that was very misleading as my husband smoked 2 packs a day from age 17-25 until he quit and only got $100 when he was truly entitled to more.
I did not see anywhere that you cannot claim any packs for specific under age. That was truly misleading!
I think you should write a letter to the court. This seems unfair. Purchases made legally after the age of 18 should be counted.
4/17/17 Received $1678 in Missouri.
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!
Received my check yesterday
$3,370.60
Has anyone had problems cashing their check?
I didn’t go to cash it yet. However the check says that it can not be cashed at a check cashing place. I do not have a bank account as I prefer to pay things in cash Only etc. So I plan to drive to a branch of Citizen’s Bank since that is the bank the check is issued from, and I will cash the check there. From what I read, they charge a $7 check cashing fee if you do not have an account with their bank.
I deposited mine (it has a 2 day hold) my husband tried to cash his at Citizens bank, the branch here would not cash it. Not sure what’s up with that!
Oh wow, I hope they don’t give me an issue cashing it after all it is a check issued from their bank. Did they give your husband a reason why they wouldn’t cash it?
They said it wasn’t drawn on their bank it was Citizens bank in Rhode Island I believe they said.
Thanks for your reply. My cousin was able to cash her check at the Citizens Bank location in Morrisville, PA. I’m guessing it depends on the location and maybe different states are stricter. Thanks again for your reply.
I got $1532 woo hoo
I received mine today as well…3394.10…
received $2,106.00 and my wife received $1,197.00
$1389.10 in Los Angeles. Gonna run out and buy 10 cartons. Smoke up!!!!!!!