R.J. Reynolds Tobacco has been hit with a Jury verdict of $23.6 billion in punitive damages In a law suit filed by the Widow of a long-term smoker who died of lung cancer.
The verdict was delivered by the state Supreme Court in Florida. The tobacco company has called the damages awarded by the Jury ‘grossly excessive’ and impermissible under US Law.
The case was one of thousands filed in Florida after the State Supreme Court in 2006 threw out a $145 billion class action verdict. That ruling also said smokers and their Families need only prove addiction and that smoking caused their illnesses or deaths.
Florida’s Highest Court last year re-approved that decision which makes it easier for sick smokers or their survivors to pursue law suits against Tobacco companies without having to prove that big tobacco knowingly sold dangerous products and hid the hazards of cigarette smoking.
The damages were awarded after a 4 week Trial and were exclusive of an additional 16.8milion in compensatory damages.
The Plaintiff was Cynthia Robinson, whose Husband Michael Johnson died in 1996 from lung cancer at the age of 36. Robinson sued R.J. Reynolds in 2008 claiming the Company was negligent in not telling him that smoking was additive and could cause lung cancer.
There are currently over 8000 cases pending in the United States against Reynolds. The Company manufactures about 1 of every 3 cigarettes sold in the US. The Company’s brands are Camel, Pal Mall, Winston, Doral and Kool.
Moloney & Co Solicitors of Naas Co Kildare currently fielding enquiries from people who have contracted lung cancer after years of smoking, if this issue affects you please feel free to contact Liam Moloney Solicitor in the strictest of confidence to discuss whether you can pursue an action against the tobacco company that manufactured the brand of cigarettes you smoked. Mr Moloney can be contacted at 045-898 000 or via e-mail at liammoloney@moloneysolicitors.ie.
