What to Do If Tobacco Played a Role In The Death of a Loved One
Despite years of public awareness campaigns warning about the dangers of tobacco use, more than 40 million people in the U.S. still smoke cigarettes. Smoke from cigarettes and other tobacco products continues to pose a serious health risk to many people today. Find out what legal recourse you have if tobacco has played a role in the death of a loved one.
What to Know About Tobacco Legally
Tobacco remains legal for two main reasons. The first reason centers on the belief that the government does not have the right to tell people how to live or what products to use. Many lawmakers refuse to back legislation that would impose a total ban on tobacco products because they argue that these laws would amount to government overreach in the lives of everyday Americans.
The second reason centers on the federal government’s collection of billions of dollars in tax revenue from tobacco sales each year. Simply put, tobacco sales continue to provide the government with a lucrative source of money. Further, some lawmakers agree that imposing heavy taxes on tobacco products can dissuade people from buying and using them.
What to Do If Tobacco Played a Role in the Death of a Loved One
If tobacco played a role in the death of a loved one, you might have several legal options available to you. To find out what they are, you need to consult with and retain an experienced personal injury lawyer.
An attorney can investigate the circumstances of your loved one’s death and determine for sure if tobacco had a role in it. Your legal team can then advise you on the best course of action to take and against whom.
Legal Routes to Go if Tobacco Has Affected You Negatively
If tobacco has affected you negatively, you could also have legal options to recover compensation for any damages you have suffered. For example, if you live in an apartment building with other tenants who smoke, you could inadvertently breathe in their smoke-polluted air and suffer poor respiratory health.
You could also experience allergies from being in close contact with tobacco smoke. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you could have the right to file a lawsuit against your landlord for failing to keep the building smoke-free.
You could also have a case against your neighbors who smoke, particularly if they break existing rules for not smoking in the building or their apartments. They could have to compensate you for medications, medical care, respiratory therapy and lost income from you having to miss work. You may also recover damages for your punitive suffering if tobacco has affected you negatively.
The best way to find out what legal action you have available to you involves setting up a prompt appointment with a personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer can explain what the lawsuit process is like and advise you on what to expect from it. You could also find out the timeline for filing a lawsuit and how much compensation you are entitled to under your state’s personal injury laws.