CRESSKILL, N.J., Jan. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Tobacco companies are at the center of litigation once again with victims who have been harmed by their products seeking justice and retribution through compensation. Two more companies – R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and Liggett Group – were recently told by the United States Supreme Court that the $20 million award against them earlier in the year will stand.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110803/NY45278LOGO )

According to news reports, a Florida jury found the companies liable for the death of Janie Mae Clay. She died of lung disease in 2003 after smoking for 40 years. Currently, there are 8,000 plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits against the companies. Sixty-five of those cases have gone to trial and the awards have amounted to $300 million. For plaintiffs and plaintiff's attorneys with unpaid tobacco related settlements, RD Legal Funding, LLC ("RD Legal") is ready to provide post-settlement lawsuit financing to monetize slow-paying settlements.

In their heyday, tobacco companies were highly rated corporations making huge profits. Smoking was an accepted practice in society, promoted by advertising that influenced pop culture. Ever since the 1960s, when evidence and studies revealed the negative effects of smoking, people slowly turned against the practice. The heightened awareness people have concerning tobacco companies has caused their bottom lines to take a hit and the companies to practically become a pariah in the social landscape.

In addition, governments and private companies have helped wage the war against smoking by banning the practice in certain areas and enacting certain policies that make it unpopular to smoke. When whistleblowers like Jeffrey Wigand revealed the tobacco companies knew of these effects and hid them from the public, it further damaged their reputation. Many successful lawsuits have been filed against tobacco companies, both in the United States and other countries. For example, Canadian plaintiffs have launched their own lawsuits. According to CBC News, an estimated 8,000 people are filing class action lawsuits against three of the major tobacco companies in the country for $27 billion.

RD Legal can provide R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and Liggett Group attorneys and their clientele with post-settlement funding, which provides immediate capital on settlements that are slow to pay. Legal funding does not require any kind of payments until the fee is paid. Once the necessary documentation is received, RD Legal can wire funds within several days. RD Legal has been a leading provider of lawsuit funding solutions since 1997.

To speak directly with a legal funding specialist, call RD Legal toll-free at 1-800-565-5177. To start the application process, please visit legalfunding.com and fill out the brief online form.

SOURCE RD Legal Funding