Burton v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

O’HARA, United States Magistrate Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION.

From approximately 1950 until 1993, the plaintiff, David Burton, claims that he smoked Camel-brand cigarettes made by defendant R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Reynolds) and, to a lesser extent, Lucky Strike-brand cigarettes made by The American Tobacco Co. (American).1 Plaintiff claims in this products liability suit that as a result of his smoking defendants’ cigarettes, he developed peripheral vascular disease, which ultimately led to the amputation of both of his legs.

There are four pending motions. First, pursuant to…