An appeals court vacated a ruling handed down last April that testimony in the Engle v Liggett class action could not be used in federal cases, Reuters reported.

Earl Graham was granted a rehearing in (Earl Graham v RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company et al; 3:09-cv-13602-NMH-JBT) before the US Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit.
Last February the three major US cigarette makers reached a settlement on pending or untried Engle cases before federal courts. However the settlement did not cover federal cases on appeal or suits brought in state courts.
Engle v Liggett initially resulted in a USD 145 billion (EUR 134 billion) judgement against tobacco companies. The award was thrown out and the class action decertified by the Florida Supreme Court in 2006. However the high court said evidence from the class action could be used in individual cases, which have been heard in both Florida state and federal courts.