The jury in Piendle v. R.J. Reynolds found that Charlie Piendle's addiction to cigarettes was the legal cause of his death, and awarded $4M in compensatory damages to his widow, Margaret Piendle. The jury apportioned 45% fault to Mr. Piendle, and 27.5% fault each to R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris. The jury also found that punitive damages were warranted, and the trial will move to the punitive damages phase.
Hon. Judge Robin Rosenberg indicated to the jury that the punitive damages phase would likely last three days or less, and that the punitive damages phase might be scheduled to begin Monday, August 16.
CVN continues to webcast Piendle v. R.J. Reynolds live.
