(1) In a civil action against a tobacco grower for damages alleged to have occurred as a result of use or consumption of tobacco products, in order for liability to be found against a tobacco grower, the plaintiff shall prove by clear and convincing evidence that the tobacco that caused the alleged damage was planted, cultivated, and harvested by that specific tobacco grower and not by any other person.
(2) In a civil action against a warehouseman for damages alleged to have occurred as a result of use or consumption of tobacco products, in order for liability to be found against a warehouseman, the plaintiff shall prove by clear and convincing evidence that the tobacco that caused the alleged damage was sold by that specific warehouseman and not by any other person.

Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 454.455

  • Action: includes all proceedings in any court of this state. See Kentucky Statutes 446.010
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

(3) If a suit against a tobacco grower or a warehouseman is dismissed or the defendant prevails at trial, the defendant may be entitled to three (3) times the entire costs of defending the action, including but not limited to legal fees, expert witnesses, and other expenses arising from the defense of the action.
Effective: April 7, 1998
History: Created 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 422, sec. 3, effective April 7, 1998.