Minnesota could lose at least a third of its $6.1 billion tobacco settlement if smokers win a class-action lawsuit against the state.
The lawsuit was filed Friday in Hennepin County District Court on behalf of an estimated 70,000 people. The matter is considered a "proposed class action" until the court validates the class members and the action."We don't start a lawsuit unless we think the chances are good," Ron Meshbesher, one of the lawyers, said Monday.
The smokers were "the injured parties and are entitled to recover the difference between the amount of the tobacco settlement and the amount of monies expended by the state, under the medical assistance and general assistance programs, to treat smoking-related illnesses," according to the attorneys.