Cory Hohnbaum tells jurors Mary Howles smoked despite knowing the dangers of cigarettes. Howles is suing Philip Morris and Hohnbaum's client, R.J. Reynolds, claiming the tobacco companies are responsible for her cancer and respiratory disease. 

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Attorneys debated what drove a Florida nurse to smoke up to three packs of cigarettes a day for more than 30 years, before she developed lung cancer and respiratory disease, as trial opened this week in her suit against the nation’s two largest tobacco companies. Howles v. Philip Morris, et al., CACE07-34919.

Gary Paige tells jurors federal oversight and settlements should not mitigate against imposing punitive damages for Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds' role in the lung cancer death of Patricia Ledoux. 

Miami—Jurors awarded $35 million to the widower of an airline worker after finding the nation’s two largest cigarette manufacturers responsible for her fatal lung cancer. Ledoux v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., 07-CA-43991.

W. Douglas Childs argues Dr. Gregory Pavlat, whom Childs represents, and Dr. Benjamin Moore properly treated Margaret Roberts for blood clots in the days before a stroke that left her needing around-the-clock care for the rest of her life. Jurors found for the doctors in Roberts' $9.5 million suit. 

Jacksonville, FL—Two physicians prevailed Friday against a patient’s claim that she suffered a catastrophic stroke because of their failure to properly treat her. Margaret and Darrell Roberts v. Dr. Gregory Pavlat and Dr. Benjamin Moore,  2011-CA-007017.

Christopher Faenza delivers closing arguments on behalf of McKendry Door Sales Inc. The company prevailed in a $32 million suit by Paradee Chularee, who claimed a door sold and installed by the company struck her, causing lifelong brain damage. 

Santa Monica, CA-- Jurors last night cleared a door company of liability for the brain damage a former UCLA staff member claims she suffered when a rolling fire door struck her head. Paradee Chularee, et al v. The Cookson Company Inc., et al., SC113062.

Wade Copeland delivers closing arguments on behalf of his client, Dr. Stephanie Smith, who was cleared Monday in a $6.3 million malpractice suit by one of her pain management patients, Mittie Anglin. 

Lawrenceville, GA—A jury Monday cleared a pain management physician of liability for a patient’s debilitating spinal injury. Mittie and James Anglin v. Dr. Stephanie Smith, M.D., 12-C-02515-S3.