Philip Morris Wins Engle Trial on Residency Requirement

Shook, Hardy & Bacon obtained a defense verdict for client Philip Morris USA Inc. on Thursday, September 22, 2016, after a three-week trial at the Circuit Court for the 11th Judicial Circuit of Miami-Dade County, Florida. The plaintiff requested $19 million in damages.

The suit, which is part of the Engle litigation in Florida, was brought by the widow and daughter of Robiel Chacon, who died 20 years ago. Chacon moved his wife and children to Florida in the 1980s; he maintained a residence in New York City as well. The jury returned a verdict for Philip Morris USA by determining that the decedent did not meet the residency requirements for Engle class membership.

Shook Partner Frank Kelly led the defense for Philip Morris.

Law360 covered the trial in an article titled, "Philip Morris Beats $19M Engle Progeny Suit At Trial."

The case is Elsa Chacon v. Philip Morris USA Inc.