"This is not a game. This is not a joke. This isn't an opportunity to slip one by you, as jurors." During closings at a FELA trial against BNSF, Anthony Sonnett reminds jurors of changing details in the story surrounding Charles Davidson's railyard injury.

In a personal injury suit, a plaintiff's credibility is critical, and successfully impeaching a plaintiff can be the key to swinging a verdict. In a trial against BNSF Railway Co. over a train yard accident that allegedly left a firefighter pinned to a guardrail by a utility cart, a cross-exam by Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith's Anthony Sonnett likely played a central role in a major defense win. 

Daytona Beach, FL—Jurors Friday awarded $3 million to the widow of a former correctional officer for the role they found R.J. Reynolds played in his emphysema and death, but they declined to find punitive damages were warranted against the tobacco giant. Smith v. R.J. Reynolds, 2015 30548 CICI. 

Sept. 23. 2016 Update: Jurors imposed a $3 million punitive award against Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds Friday. The punitive award, which includes $1 million against Philip Morris and $ 2 million against Reynolds, brings the total verdict to $9.1 million. CVN will provide more information when it is available. 

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Jurors Thursday awarded more than $6.1 million in compensatory damages and found punitives warranted for the role they concluded the nation's two largest tobacco companies played in a Florida smoker's cancer and death. Oshinsky-Blacker v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., 2008-CV-025841.

 Frank Kelly delivers closing arguments on behalf of Philip Morris, at trial over Robiel Chacon's lung cancer death.

Miami—Jurors Thursday found a smoker failed state citizenship requirements for purposes of class action membership against the nation’s tobacco companies, clearing Philip Morris of liability for his lung cancer death. Chacon v. Philip Morris, 08-102-CA-09.

 Stock photo. 

Atlanta—Attorneys argued why a Georgia urban planner suffered ultimately fatal brain damage less than an hour after walking into an emergency room in 2010, as trial opened Wednesday against two ER doctors who treated her. Baker v. Dinerman, et al., 12EV015555.