Judge Limits Firms’ Defense in Florida Case

Tobacco companies, in defending a lawsuit brought by the state of Florida, won’t be able to use the defense that cigarette smokers assumed the risks of smoking, a Florida judge ruled. Florida, along with 19 other states, is suing the $50-billion tobacco industry to reclaim Medicaid money spent treating smokers under the federal-state health-care plan for the poor. Florida is seeking at least $800 million in damages. The Palm Beach County Circuit Court decision makes it likely the lawsuit will go to trial in August as scheduled, attorneys said.