Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds Dodge Late Wrongful Death Suits

Philip Morris USA and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company escaped wrongful death challenges from deceased smokers’ family members that were brought after the statute of limitations on their personal injury claims had expired, Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court said Thursday.

The decision upholds the interpretation of Massachusetts’ wrongful death statute, which says that wrongful death actions must be brought within three years of a person’s death.

The challenges came from the spouses of two deceased smokers, who sued Philip Morris, Shaw’s Supermarkets Inc., R.J. Reynolds, Cumberland Farms Inc., and Garber Bros., Inc. for allegedly conspiring to mislead the public about the ...