Source:
Associated PressCourt Rules Against Philip MorrisThe Associated Press
Monday, June 11, 2007; 10:32 AM
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court ruled Monday that Philip
Morris Cos. Inc. cannot move a lawsuit by cigarette smokers
into federal court.
The unanimous decision came in a case that consumers filed
against the cigarette company in state court in Arkansas.
Philip Morris, a part of Altria Group Inc., moved the case
to federal court in Little Rock, Ark., saying it could do so
because the company was pervasively regulated by the
Federal Trade Commission.
-snip-The potential for large damage awards from state court
juries makes the federal court system a more desirable
place for tobacco companies and other defendants sued in
class-action cases.
-snip-Read more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/11/AR2007061100847.html