District Court, N.D. Illinois December 1, 1998, 97 C 8113, 97 C 8114 (International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 734 Health & Welfare Trust Fund v. Phillip Morris, Inc.)

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

MANNING, District Judge.

I.

Introduction

The court is addressing a question of first impression in the Seventh Circuit: whether health and welfare funds may bring an action for economic damages incurred due to increased medical costs stemming from their members’ consumption of tobacco products.