State of Arizona v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco
State of Arizona v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., 988 P.2d 1055, Supreme Court of Arizona (2000).
- United States
- Apr 13, 2000
- Supreme Court of Arizona
State of Arizona v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., 988 P.2d 1055, Supreme Court of Arizona (2000).
Thirteen Arizona counties filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit where the State of Arizona and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) (“the State”) sued the tobacco industry and its trade associations (“the tobacco companies”) for misleading consumers on the effects of tobacco and sought damages in addition to declaratory and injunctive relief. The state of Arizona and forty-four other states had entered a global settlement agreement (known as the Master Settlement Agreement) with the companies, under which the states would receive compensation for expenses incurred from health services provided to those with tobacco-related diseases. Because the settlement agreement allowed only the state to receive the payments, the counties filed the motion to intervene to ensure receipt of their share of the settlement fund. The trial court found the motion to intervene untimely and the appellate court affirmed.