Landmark Ruling in Turkey: Cigarette Company Ordered to Pay 500 Thousand TL in Damages for COPD Death
The case of Mechanical engineer Adnan Yılmazel, who died due to COPD in 2017, has sparked a legal battle between his daughter, Lawyer Senem Yılmazel, and a cigarette company. Lawyer Yılmazel filed a lawsuit for non-pecuniary damages against the cigarette company, claiming that her father’s smoking addiction of over 50 years led to his illness and eventual death. In a landmark decision, the court awarded 500 thousand TL in non-pecuniary damages to Lawyer Yılmazel.
The defendant company’s lawyer argued that the court lacked jurisdiction, the case was time-barred, and previous similar lawsuits were rejected by the courts. However, the court found in favor of Lawyer Yılmazel, citing evidence that smoking is a leading cause of COPD and lung cancer. The court held the cigarette company responsible for not adequately informing consumers of the health risks associated with their products.
Speaking about the case, Lawyer Senem Yılmazel expressed her belief in Turkish justice and the importance of holding tobacco companies accountable for the harm caused by their products. She emphasized the need for transparency and awareness regarding the dangers of smoking, citing her father’s struggle with addiction and the devastating effects it had on his health.
The decision in this case sets a precedent for future lawsuits against tobacco companies in Turkey, highlighting the health risks of smoking and the responsibility of manufacturers to inform consumers. While the compensation cannot bring back Adnan Yılmazel, it serves as a reminder of the impact of smoking-related illnesses and the importance of taking legal action to seek justice for victims and their families.
