Los Lunas, NM — A New Mexico state court jury last week cleared Philip Morris and a regional grocery chain of responsibility for the cancer death of a 59-year-old woman who had smoked the tobacco giant’s cigarettes for much of her life. Johnson v. Philip Morris and Allsup’s Convenience Stores, Inc., D-1314-CV-2019-00897. 

Powerfully framing the value of life is crucial when plaintiff’s attorneys tell the damages story of a wrongful death case. And in the latest episode of Trial Technique Spotlight, renowned trial consultant Shane Read details how Jeb Butler vividly explained the value of life in a closing that helped win a $150 million verdict at trial over the death of a Georgia toddler. 

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CVN has covered a wide range of big-ticket proceedings across the country over the last several weeks, including a blockbuster case against Monsanto, a Massachusetts trial win for R.J. Reynolds, and more. As we close out 2023, take a look back at highlights of some of our recent trial coverage. 

Woburn, MA— R.J. Reynolds and a grocery chain prevailed last week at trial over the bladder cancer a Massachusetts man claims was caused by decades of smoking. Gallagher v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., 2281CV03347. 

Decatur, GA— Jurors Thursday handed down a $16.66 million verdict against a trucking company and found it 60 percent responsible for the 2021 crash that left a Georgia man with a traumatic brain injury.  Dalal v. Brown Trucking Company, 21A04356.