Brunswick, GA— Attorneys Monday debated who should bear responsibility for the sweeping fallout of opioid addiction, as a first-of-its-kind, private-plaintiff jury trial over the opioid epidemic opened in Georgia against three drug distributors. Poppell, et al. v. Cardinal Health, Inc., et al., CE19-00472.

Brunswick, GA— Openings are expected Monday in what is believed to be the nation’s first state court jury trial brought by private plaintiffs over the opioid epidemic, with CVN streaming the Georgia court proceedings. Poppell, et al. v. Cardinal Health Inc., et al., CE19-00472.

Miami, FL— A Florida jury handed down a $5 million verdict against Philip Morris Friday after concluding a Florida man died from lung cancer caused by the company’s Marlboro cigarettes. However, jurors apportioned 40% of fault to the smoker himself. Hoffman v. Philip Morris, 2017-CA-005939.

Fort Lauderdale, FL— Jurors Wednesday found rapper Flo Rida entitled to more than $82.6 million in damages after concluding the maker of Celsius energy drinks breached an endorsement agreement with the entertainer. Strong Arm Productions USA, Inc., et al. v. Celsius Holdings, Inc., CACE21008997. 

Boston, MA— Attorneys Monday debated who bore responsibility for the lung cancer death of a Massachusetts woman who smoked for more than half a century, as trial opened against the nation’s two largest tobacco companies. Kinnally v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., 1684CV03937.