CVN has covered some of the most successful attorneys in Florida in their biggest trials. To highlight their powerhouse performances, we are launching Florida Legal Legends, specially curated video featuring the state’s legal elite in the most electrifying moments captured by CVN courtroom cameras.

 Lakiesha Cannon delivers her closing argument in Santoro v. R.J. Reynolds, et al. 

Fort Lauderdale, FL—A Florida smoker’s widower was awarded $1.81 million last week for the lung cancer death of his wife, wrapping a rare Engle progeny trial against three of the country’s four biggest tobacco companies. Santoro v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., 2008-CV-025807(19).

Gary Paige delivers his closing argument against R.J. Reynolds, accused of responsibility for the lung cancer death of Evelyn Whitmire, 46, who smoked for more than 25 years. Jurors awarded Whitmire's husband $3 million in compensatory damages. 

Update 4/3/17: Parties announced Monday that they reached a confidential settlement on punitive damages. 

Tallahassee—A day after awarding $3 million in compensatory damages for the role R.J. Reynolds played in the lung cancer death of a 46-year-old smoker, Florida state court jurors Wednesday declared themselves at an impasse over punitive damages, forcing a mistrial in that phase of trial against the tobacco company. Whitmire v. R.J. Reynolds, 2015CA002337. 

Scott Fischer delivers his opening statement in Harrison v. West Boca Medical Center. 

A Florida hospital staff's negligence caused a once-independent senior to suffer a fall that has left her restricted to a walker for the rest of her life, an attorney for the woman’s family said as trial opened Tuesday against the hospital. Harrison v. West Boca Medical Center, 2016-CA-009017.

Stock image. 

West Palm Beach, FL—A Florida woman was left in a permanent vegetative state because a hospital’s operating room lacked the necessary equipment to treat her brain bleed, an attorney for the woman’s guardian told jurors as trial opened Wednesday against the hospital. Chan v. Tenet St. Mary's Medical Center, 2015CA008359.