Are you a smoker or former smoker in Canada, or do you represent someone who smoked?
If yes, the PCC Compensation Plan applies to anyone who:
- lives in any Province or Territory within Canada,
- was alive on March 8, 2019,
- smoked Twelve Pack-Years of cigarettes (i.e. at least 87,600 cigarettes) sold by the Canadian Tobacco Companies between January 1, 1950 and November 20, 1998,
- And was diagnosed in Canada with either Lung Cancer, Throat Cancer or Emphysema/COPD (GOLD Grades III or IV), between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019 (inclusive of those dates).
Individuals who meet all these criteria (“PCC Eligibility Criteria”) may be eligible to receive money from the PCC Compensation Plan, if it is approved by the Court.
Individuals in Canada who do not meet the PCC Eligibility Criteria may be eligible for money under the Quebec Class Action Administration Plan, or they will indirectly benefit from the establishment of a Foundation that will fund research focused on improving outcomes in Tobacco-related Diseases.
Will I need a lawyer to file a claim?
No. The proposed PCC Compensation Plan is specifically designed so that PCC-Claimants and their Representatives will be able to complete and submit Claim Forms without hiring third-party lawyers or other service providers offering form completion or submission services.
To support this, Epiq, the authorized agent for PCC Representative Counsel, will provide free assistance to PCC-Claimants and their Representatives throughout the Claims Process. This includes helping claimants obtain medical documents and complete, legally swear, and submit their Claim Forms to the Claims Administrator if and when the Court approves the proposed PCC Compensation Plan.
You can find more information about the PCC Compensation Plan in the FAQ Section of this website.
THE COURT HAS NOT YET DETERMINED WHETHER TO APPROVE THE PCC COMPENSATION PLAN.
Please note that if the Court approves the proposed PCC Compensation Plan, some time will be needed between when the Court approves the Plan and when the claims process begins to allow for procedural, noticing, and implementation activities.