If you or a deceased family member were living in Florida and were diagnosed with certain smoking related illnesses prior to November 21, 1996; you may be entitled to share in more than $600 million dollars designated to compensate Florida smokers.  The registration deadline is midnight, June 16, 2008.

What is the Engle Fund?

The Engle Class Action is named after the late Dr. Howard A. Engle who fought the tobacco industry.  The case determined that the tobacco manufacturers conspired to conceal material information regarding the health effects and addictive nature of smoking.  The lawsuit resulted in an unprecedented amount of money to cover tobacco related illnesses in Florida, $709,723,077, a guaranteed Sum created for the benefit of injured Florida smokers and their survivors.

You may be eligible to receive funds from the Engle Trust Fund Lawsuit Guaranteed Sum.

Who Qualifies?

• You, or your loved one, must have lived in Florida and smoked to qualify;
  
• You, or your loved one's injuries or medical condition or conditions must have resulted from cigarettes;
  
• Your illness, or the illness of your loved one, must have been diagnosed or the medical condition must have first appeared on or before November 21, 1996.

Here is a list of some of the diseases and medical conditions that may that may qualify you or your loved one if you are the survivor of a smoker:

- Abnormal Blood Clotting
- Angina
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Atherosclerosis
- Emphysema
- Esophageal or Throat Cancer- Miscarriage
- Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
- Hardening of the Arteries
- Bladder Cancer
- Blood Vessel Damage
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Cerebrovascular disease (including stroke)
- Cervical Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Oral Cavity or Tongue Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
- Laryngeal Cancer
- Lung Cancer- Pancreatic Cancer
- Peripheral Vascular Disease including- Buerger's Disease
- Pharyngeal Cancer
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (also known as COPD)
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Coronary Heart Disease

This is a partial list of the medical conditions that may qualify you or a loved one to share in the proceeds of the $700 million dollars guaranteed to Florida smokers.  Contact our office today and we can help determine if you qualify.  Your right to file a claim may be expiring soon so it is important to contact us immediately.

What is the Next Step?

Qualifying to share in the fund does not mean you have to give up any future claim against the tobacco companies.  Participating in a share of the Guaranteed Sum is separate from any decision you may make to file a lawsuit for damages for personal injury or death from smoking.  Additionally, you do not have to bring your own lawsuit to be eligible to receive money from the Guaranteed Sum.

Call Kogan & DiSalvo today at 561-477-9000 or 800-707-9111.