MIAMI –– A widow will receive a new trial in her wrongful death lawsuit against Philip Morris.
In a Sept. 12 opinion, the Third District Court of Appeal reversed a judgment in favor of the cigarette maker. The court ruled Elsa Chacon's late husband, Robiel Chacon, is qualifed as an Engle class member and can bring claims against Philip Morris.
The lower court sided with Philip Morris' argument that Elsa Chacon must prove her husband was a citizen and resident of Florida at the time of his diagnosis.
The appeals court disagreed.
“In order to initially qualify as an Engle class member, a plaintiff must prove that the deceased was either a citizen of Florida or a resident of Florida at the time of manifestation or diagnosis,” Judge Richard Suarez wrote in the opinion
The appeals court determined the trial court incorrectly interpreted the Engle class definition as requiring proof of both citizenship and residency.
“The case law in Florida demonstrates the prefatory phrase ‘all citizens and residents’ is to be read to allow access to Engle class membership to those who can establish either status – those who were Florida residents on the one hand, or those who were Florida citizens, on the other,” Suarez wrote.