Randy Rosenblum delivers his opening statement on behalf of Lorraine Olson, who claims R.J. Reynolds is responsibile for her husband, Floyd Olson's, cancer death. 

Jacksonville, FL—Attorneys Friday debated what drove a Florida trucker to smoke up to four packs of cigarettes a day for more than 40 years, as trial over his cancer death opened against R.J. Reynolds.Olson v. R.J Reynolds, 2008-CA-000396.

Update: Jurors imposed a $5 million punitive verdict Frday afternoon against R.J. Reynolds for the role the tobacco company played in Valton Sheffield's fatal lung cancer. The verdict, reached after about 90 minutes of deliberations, pushes the total award to $6.8 million to Sheffield's widow. 

Orlando, FL—A Florida State Court jury Thursday awarded $1.8 million to the widow of a Florida smoker who died after multiple bouts of lung cancer, and it found R.J. Reynolds potentially liable for punitive damages for the part it played in the man’s death. Sheffield v. R.J. Reynolds, 2013-CA-009469.

Adam Smith delivers his closing argument on behalf of Keely Youngblood, accused of responsibility for neck and back injuries Michael Blatnik claims he suffered when Youngblood rear-ended him. Jurors cleared Youngblood of responsibility for the injuries. 

Decatur, GA—Jurors Wednesday rejected a Georgia man’s claim that he suffered long-term neck and back injuries from a rear-end crash with a distracted driver. Blatnik v. Youngblood, 15A56329.