$1.36 Million Award Over Asbestos in Cigarette Filters

In a rare victory against the Lorillard Company and its “Micronite” cigarette filters, a San Francisco jury has awarded $1.36 million to an ex-smoker who claims he developed a form of cancer from the filters on Kent cigarettes in the 50s, reports FairWarning.

Lorillard produced its “Micronite” filter for Kent cigarettes from 1952 to 1956 claiming it was the “greatest health protection in cigarette history” because it removed more tar and nicotine than the competitor's filters.  It was later disclosed the Micronite tip contained highly toxic crocidolite – “African blue” – asbestos.

The 73-year-old terminally ill man was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer, in 2009 and had a lung removed last year.  The jury found he smoked Kents when they had the Micronite filter containing asbestos in the 50s and that both Lorillard and Hollingsworth & Vose, the manufacturer of the filter, were liable for making or selling a product that failed to perform “as safely as an ordinary consumer would have expected.”

At Munley, Munley & Cartwright, our product liability attorneys have successfully represented those who have suffered damages caused by commercial products.  To learn more about how we can put our experience to work for you, contact us today for a free consultation by calling 1-800-318-LAW-1 or by using our online form.