The California Supreme Court on Thursday removed a legal barrier that prevented sick smokers from suing tobacco companies for damages.

The state's highest court ruled that smokers must sue cigarette makers within two years of being diagnosed with a tobacco-related disease, rather than within two years of becoming addicted to smoking. The ruling came nearly two years after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals asked the California Supreme Court to clarify a state law governing when smokers must file tobacco-injury suits.
The decision will allow tobacco-injury lawsuits to move forward in federal courts in California, and also could influence federal courts in other states with similar legal barriers, attorneys said. (pi)