Questions, answered
Tobacco settlement records: common questions
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What does Medchart do?
We collect the medical records your claim needs and send them back to you, organized. The settlement's official agent helps you file your claim for free, but they do not go and gather your records. Medchart does that part: we contact every doctor and clinic, follow up, and collect the records, so you do not have to. We do not file your claim or decide who qualifies.
How do I know if I qualify?
You can likely take part if you smoked at least 87,600 cigarettes of eligible brands between January 1, 1950 and November 20, 1998, were diagnosed with primary lung cancer, a primary squamous-cell throat cancer, or emphysema or COPD (GOLD Grade III or IV) between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019, and live in Canada. See the overview page for the full details, or email us at tobacco@medchart.ca.
What counts as a qualifying diagnosis?
The diagnosis must have been made between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019, and be one of these:
Primary lung cancer - the cancer must have started in the lungs. Cancer that began elsewhere and later spread to the lungs (secondary or metastatic) does not count.
Certain throat cancers - only a primary squamous-cell cancer of the larynx (voice box), oropharynx (middle throat), or hypopharynx (lower throat).
Emphysema or COPD - must be severe, at GOLD Grade III or IV.
Primary lung cancer - the cancer must have started in the lungs. Cancer that began elsewhere and later spread to the lungs (secondary or metastatic) does not count.
Certain throat cancers - only a primary squamous-cell cancer of the larynx (voice box), oropharynx (middle throat), or hypopharynx (lower throat).
Emphysema or COPD - must be severe, at GOLD Grade III or IV.
Which cigarette brands are eligible?
The cigarettes must have been made by Imperial Tobacco, Rothmans Benson & Hedges, or JTI-Macdonald, and smoked between January 1, 1950 and November 20, 1998. Eligible brands:
Not sure which brand you smoked, or do not see it here? Email us at tobacco@medchart.ca and we can help you check.
Accord, Accord KF, Avanti/Light, B&H, B&H 100 Del.UL.LT/MEN, B&H 100 F, B&H 100 F Menthol, B&H Light Menthol, B&H Lights, B&H Special KF, B&H Special Lights KF, Belmont, Belmont KF, Belvedere, Belvedere Extra Mild, Camel, Cameo, Cameo Extra Mild, Craven 'A', Craven 'A' Light, Craven 'A' Special, Craven 'A' Ultra Light/Mild, Craven 'M', Craven 'M' KF, Craven 'M' Special, du Maurier, du Maurier Extra Light, du Maurier Light, du Maurier Special, du Maurier Ultra Light, Dunhill, Dunhill KF, Export, Export 'A', Export 'A' Extra Light, Export 'A' Lights, Export 'A' Medium, Export 'A' Special Edition, Export 'A' Ultra Light, Export Mild, Export Plain, John Player's Special, LD, Macdonald, Macdonald Menthol, Mark Ten, Mark Ten Filter, Matinee, Matinee Extra Mild, Matinee Slims/Menthol, Matinee Special/Menthol, Medallion, More, North American Spirit, Number 7, Number 7 Lights, Peter Jackson, Peter Jackson Extra Light KF, Player's, Player's Extra Light, Player's Filter, Player's Light, Player's Medium, Player's Plain, Rothmans, Rothmans Extra Light, Rothmans KF, Rothmans Light, Rothmans Special, Rothmans UL LT KF, Select Special/Ultra Mild/Menthol, Vantage, Vantage KF, Vantage Light/Menthol, Viscount, Viscount #1 KF, Viscount Extra Mild/Menthol, Winston.
Not sure which brand you smoked, or do not see it here? Email us at tobacco@medchart.ca and we can help you check.
Which records will you collect?
A pathology report for primary lung or throat cancer, or a spirometry test report for emphysema or COPD (GOLD Grade III or IV). If those are not available, a copy of the medical file, a Physician Form, or a doctor's letter with a supporting report.
What does it cost?
Medchart charges $10 plus tax for each request. The clinic or hospital may also charge a fee, which is your responsibility. You will see the full cost before you confirm.
Can you promise my records will be enough?
No. We will do everything we can to collect them, but we cannot promise the records will be found or that they will meet the claim's requirements. That decision is made by the official agent.
I am claiming for someone who has passed away.
You can request their records here. To file the claim, you will also need legal authority for their estate and proof of death. See the For Claimants page.
I live in Quebec.
Quebec has its own process. You usually do not need to do anything, because the administrator looks up your records for you. Only send documents if you receive an official notice. Questions? Call Proactio at 1-888-880-1844 or email tabac@proactio.ca.
Ready to get your records?
Start your request now. It takes a few minutes, and we handle the rest.