In response to the vaping epidemic facing our youth, schools have joined the multijurisdictional Anti-Vaping Litigation to seek monetary relief from vaping companies.
From its early inception, Attorney William B. Shinoff and the Frantz Law Group, APLC have been representing schools throughout the Nation in the Anti-Vaping Litigation. And the Frantz Law Group is now co-counseling with Attorney Matthew John Markling and McGown & Markling Co., L.P.A. to represent Ohio schools in the Anti-Vaping Litigation.
“The Frantz Law Group engaged in an extensive process for selecting co-counsel with a state-wide presence and we are proud to partner with Attorney Matthew John Markling and McGown & Markling,” said Attorney Shinoff. “Not only has Attorney Markling consistently been selected by his legal peers as one of The Best Lawyers in America® in the practice area of Education Law, McGown & Markling also remains among the select few law firms to receive a Tier 1 Ranking by U.S. News–Best Lawyers® ‘Best Law Firms’ in ‘Education Law’ for every year since the ranking began – including 2021.”
On October 23, 2020, the Honorable Judge William H. Orrick, III ruled that the Anti-Vaping Litigation may move forward with a trial date currently set for January/February 2022. To read the October 23, 2020 order, please click here.
All Ohio public and private schools are now being called upon to join the Anti-Vaping Litigation to seek benefits at no cost.
The benefits of joining the Anti-Vaping Litigation include seeking monetary damages designed to compensate Ohio schools for past and future costs relating to the vaping epidemic with a focus on deterrence, support, and education including, but not limited to, vape detectors, employee funding, and anti-vaping education.
“One way to deter vaping is through the installation of vape detectors in school restrooms,” said Attorney Markling. “This Anti-Vaping Litigation seeks to obtain the appropriate compensation to install vape detector systems in all Ohio school restrooms.”
“Based on discussions with current school plaintiffs and experts, it will be necessary for schools to hire more employees to provide further supervision of students to ensure that vaping is not occurring on campus and, due to the nicotine addiction that results from students using vaping devices, there will be a need for more counselors to provide support for the social and emotional issues that arise from nicotine addiction,” said Attorney Markling. “This Anti-Vaping Litigation seeks compensation to pay for the additional staffing that Ohio schools will need to support our students.”
“Due to the fraudulent and misleading advertising directed toward students, students are not aware of the harms of vaping products so educational programs are needed to deter vaping and provide support for students to stop vaping,” said Attorney Markling. “This Anti-Vaping Litigation seeks funding for educational programs for Ohio students and parents on the harms of vaping.”
There is no cost to join the Anti-Vaping Litigation.
“With the tremendous uncertainty surrounding school funding and the COVID-19 pandemic, we have agreed to represent all Ohio schools that join this Anti-Vaping Litigation on a contingency fee basis,” said Attorney Markling. “As a result, no Ohio school will be responsible for any fees, expenses, or costs unless the school receives a monetary recovery.”
Time is running out for Ohio schools to join the Anti-Vaping Litigation.
“As the bellwether filing deadline is December 15, 2020, we are asking all Ohio schools to join no later than November 30, 2020,” said Attorney Markling. “Sample board resolutions and contingency fee agreements have been sent to Ohio schools and are also available at www.ohioschoolsagainstvaping.com.”
Responses to Frequently Asked Questions on the Anti-Vaping Litigation can be obtained by visiting www.ohioschoolsagainstvaping.com.