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IMPORTANT UPDATE
MESSAGE FROM YOUR TRUSTEE
June 29, 2009: The outpouring of thanks and gratitude from the Engle Trust Fund beneficiaries has been overwhelming. On behalf of all the employees in the Trustee's Office and the employees at the Garden City Group, I want you to know how much we appreciate your kind words and thoughts. We wish you and your families only the best.
Miles A. McGrane, III, Trustee
June 26, 2009: It is with great pleasure that we have made the third and final distribution in the amount of $716.39. The total distribution for each of the 42,553 injured or deceased smokers is $13,016.39. As we close the Engle Trust Fund with this last distribution, I want to thank each of you for the opportunity to serve as your Trustee this past year. I hope the future will bring you, your family and loved ones only good health and happiness. If you have any questions, please direct them to the following e-mail address: ETFTrustee@mn-lawfirm.com.
Miles A. McGrane, III, Trustee
On June 3, 2009, the Court entered its Directions to Trustee.
Please read the Trustee's March 27, 2009 letter to the Beneficiaries of the Engle Trust fund.
On February 18, 2009, the Trustee submitted the Report of Trustee to the Court.
On January 26, 2009, the Trustee submitted the Report of Trustee to the Court. On January 29, 2009, the Court entered an Order providing Directions to Trustee.
On January 12, 2009, the Trustee submitted his Report and Recommendations on Distributions from the Engle Trust Fund. The Court has entered an Order Approving Report and Recommendations of Trustee.
On October 2, 2008, the Court entered an Order Regarding Distribution and Modification of Scheduling Order. Among other things, this Order directs The Garden City Group, Inc. to issue an initial partial distribution in the amount of $9,000 to claimants who have submitted claims that have been deemed valid and complete. The first checks for this initial distribution were mailed on October 3, 2008. As additional claims are deemed valid and complete, The Garden City Group, Inc. will mail checks in the amount of $9,000 to those claimants. These mailings will occur every two weeks. On December 2, 2008, the Court entered an Order Regarding Modification of Scheduling Order.
For more information, please review the Frequently Asked Questions.
Overview
The Engle Class Action was filed in 1994 and went to trial against the tobacco industry in July 1998. A distinct, unprecedented monetary fund of over $600 million (the "Engle Trust Fund") has been created for the class by Susan and Stanley Rosenblatt, counsel for the class. Florida smokers, former smokers and survivors of smokers may be eligible for a share in the Engle Trust Fund.
You may be qualified to receive money from the Engle Trust Fund if you (or your decedent) have suffered, presently suffer, or have died from the diseases and medical conditions (listed below) caused by addiction to cigarettes that contained nicotine. The disease or medical condition must have been first diagnosed or first manifested itself on or before November 21, 1996.
The deadline to register for the Engle Trust Fund passed on June 16, 2008. The deadline to submit the Class Membership Paperwork Submission Form and supporting paperwork passed on August 1, 2008.
Diseases and Medical Conditions
- aortic aneurysm
- bladder cancer
- cerebrovascular disease (including stroke)
- cervical cancer
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - COPD (including emphysema)
- coronary heart disease (including cardiovascular disease, hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and arteriolosclerosis, angina, abnormal blood clotting, blood vessel damage, myocardial infarction (heart attack))
- esophageal (throat) cancer
- kidney cancer
- laryngeal (throat or voice box) cancer
- lung cancer (including adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma)
- complications of pregnancy (miscarriage)
- oral cavity/tongue cancer
- pancreatic cancer
- peripheral vascular disease (including Buerger’s disease)
- pharyngeal cancer
- stomach cancer
Registration Procedure
At the hearing on April 15, 2008, the Court set a schedule for the allocation and distribution of the Engle Trust Fund. Qualified Engle class members MUST register by mail or online no later than June 16, 2008, to be eligible to receive a share of the Engle Trust Fund. Registration does not assure qualification to share in the Engle Trust Fund.
The deadline to register for the Engle Trust Fund passed on June 16, 2008.
The Claims Administrator mailed letters acknowledging receipt of each Registration Form. The letters requested and identified all additional information and paperwork necessary to determine qualification for a share of the Engle Trust Fund.
The deadline to submit Class membership paperwork was August 1, 2008.
The Court's Order For Submission of Class Membership Paperwork dated May 2, 2008 is available for viewing.
The Claims Administrator will mail a postcard acknowledging receipt of each Class Membership Paperwork Submission Form.
All of the paperwork submitted by claimants will be reviewed by the Claims Administrator. If a claim is deficient, a notice and opportunity to cure will be mailed to the claimant.
The Claims Administration will mail a Notice of Distribution to all claimants in October 2008.
Distribution by the Claims Administrator shall be equally made on a per smoker basis.
Do not call or write the Court, the Trustee or the Clerk of the Court for further information.
Do I Need to Hire an Attorney?
You may hire counsel, at your own expense, to represent your interests in connection with the allocation and distribution of the Engle Trust Fund or the Court-appointed Trustee will determine how your interests will be represented. If you have an attorney who represents you (or your decedent) with regard to a tobacco claim, please consult your attorney.
Important Dates
| Date | Case-Related Event |
|---|---|
| June 16, 2008 [Passed] |
Registration Deadline |
| August 1, 2008 [Passed] |
Documentation Submission Deadline (you will receive notice of documentation required after you register) |