Laura Shamp delivers her opening statement at trial against Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds. Shamp's client, Abigail Dubinsky, claims tobacco industry concealment of smoking's dangers killed her husband, Paul. 

Viera, FL—Attorneys debated the role smoking and decades of alleged fraud played in the death of a Florida man as trial began Monday against two tobacco industry giants. Dubinsky v. Philip Morris, 2014-CA-026783.

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West Palm Beach, FL—A Florida appellate court this week threw out an $18.5 million award to the adult daughter of a long-time smoker who died from lung cancer, after finding the award against cigarette maker R.J. Reynolds was excessive.

Bruce Ramsey, left, and Gregg Hollander, right, deliver opening statements at trial against Boca Raton Regional Hospital over the paralysis Kathleen Silkworth, represented by Hollander, claims was caused by medical negligence.

West Palm Beach, FL—Attorneys sparred over whether a car accident or medical negligence paralyzed a South Florida woman, as trial opened Monday against the hospital that treated her following her late-night crash. Silkworth v. Boca Raton Regional Hospital, 2013CA013276.

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Decatur, GA—Attorneys debated whether decades of job-related orthopedic stress or a rear-end collision caused a Snellville exterminator’s shoulder injury, as trial began Tuesday against the woman who crashed into him. Rush v. Mealor, 14A52556.

Alex Alvarex delivers his closing argument during the punitive phase of trial against Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds over the cancer and respiratory disease Mary Howles claims was caused by the companies' deceit. Jurors Tuesday imposed a $6 million punitive award, following the $4 million in compensatories they awarded a day earlier. 

Fort Lauderdale, FL—A South Florida jury imposed a $6 million punitive verdict on R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris yesterday, completing a $10 million damage award against the tobacco giants for their role in a former nurse’s cancer and respiratory disease. Howles v. R.J. Reynolds, 2007-CV-034919.