Gwynn's family files wrongful-death lawsuit against tobacco industry

[TomSea]

Gwynn's family files wrongful-death lawsuit against tobacco industry

The family of Tony Gwynn filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the tobacco industry Monday, claiming it intentionally targeted the Hall of Famer to get him addicted to smokeless tobacco.

In the suit, filed in Superior Court in San Diego, Gwynn's family accuses Altria Group, Inc., the tobacco giant formerly known as Philip Morris; Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC; local San Diego convenience stores and others of manipulating Gwynn's addiction to the product.

The complaint, obtained by The New York Times, says the tobacco industry was determined to market its products to African Americans, and Gwynn was a “marketing dream come true” as he was making his rise to fame at San Diego State University beginning in 1977.

Gwynn, a 15-time All-Star who won eight batting titles with the Padres, died of cancer in 2014 at the age of 54. For more than half his life — 31 years — Gwynn used up to two cans of smokeless tobacco per day that ultimately led to the salivary gland cancer that killed him.

“The tobacco companies were using his addiction to turn him into their ultimate walking billboard,” said Tony Gwynn Jr., who is among three plaintiffs named in the lawsuit, via the Times. “He never knew it, but they were using him to promote their dip to the next generation of kids and fans who idolized him.”

The suit asks for a jury trial on grounds of negligence, fraud and product liability.

“Now that the family understands how he was targeted, they understand that the industry knew they had this highly carcinogenic product and they were marketing it to people like Tony,” said David S. Casey, lead lawyer for the Gwynn family. “They want to hold them accountable and let a jury make a decision as to what is proper in this case.”

Read More At: http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/gwynns-family-files-wrongful-death-lawsuit-against-tobacco-industry/ar-BBto9GU?ocid=ansmsnsports11

[Leto]

Big fan OF Tony, after his playing days he coached baseball at his alma mater, UCSD.

I have mixed feelings if he started chewing at age 23 he was a grown man, and should take
responsibility for his actions.

Never had any tobacco involvement. Backto the Red Sox Rockies game. Go Sox.

[mountaineer]

I have mixed feelings if he started chewing at age 23 he was a grown man, and should take
responsibility for his actions.

Personal injury lawyers generally don't believe anyone is responsible for his own actions.

[TomSea]

It's hard to see that someone could do 2 cans a day; that seems to be a lot.  14 a week, 60 a month.

[Leto]

I watched a lot of his hitting videos he always had a big wad of in his mouth.


Great hitting instructor. BTW he played point guard while in college, pretty good player at BB also.

[truth_seeker]

There was plenty of information and warning, during his lifetime, that tobacco in any form was bad.

This is opportunistic descendants and ambulance chasing attorneys, period.

My father probably died from tobacco smoking. Nobody has ever suggested going after a settlement.