R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Stidham

HEADNOTE: R.J.REYNOLDS v. STIDHAM (NO. 77, SEPT TERM. 2015) FIFTEEN MONTHS AFTER FILING SUIT AGAINST ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS, AFTER MOST OF THE DEADLINES SET IN A SCHEDULING ORDER FOR COMPLETION OF DISCOVERY AND NAMING OF WITNESSES HAD PASSED, PLAINTIFFS FILED AN AMENDED COMPLAINT JOINING SEVERAL TOBACCO COMPANIES ON A THEORY OF SYNERGY – THAT THEIR LUNG CANCER WAS CAUSED BOTH BY SMOKING AND EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS. THE CIRCUIT COURT DISMISSED THEM AS BEING IMPROPERLY JOINED ON THE SPECIAL ASBESTOS DOCKET BUT WITH LEAVE TO REFILE THE CASE ON THE GENERAL CIVIL DOCKET; SIXTEEN MONTHS LATER AFTER ALL…