Some corporate franchisors try to have their cake (or, allegedly in this case, pizza pie) and eat it too when it comes to independent franchisees. Franchise agreements seek to control the franchisee as if it is an agent, but gain protection from liability that working with an independent entity affords. That independent contractor label can pose a difficult hurdle to holding a corporate franchisor liable for the actions of a franchisee. But, in Weiderhold v. Domino’s Pizza, Mark Avera proved the link to render Domino's Pizza liable for the actions of its franchisee pizza store, and the delivery driver involved in a catastrophic car crash. In the process, he secured a nine-figure verdict.
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Topics: Florida, Transportation, Wiederhold v. Domino's Pizza
Ray Persons tells jurors Robert Mathis did not show symptoms of lung cancer until after the November 21, 1996 cutoff date for Engle class membership during openings of trial against R.J. Reynolds for Mathis's death.
Miami, FL—A Florida man who died of lung cancer after smoking 2 to 3 packs of cigarettes a day for nearly 50 years developed the disease after the bar date for filing a class action claim against the nation's tobacco companies, an attorney defending R.J. Reynolds said Friday in the trial's opening statements. Mathis v. R.J. Reynolds, 2007-CA-47118.
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Topics: Negligence, Products Liability, tobacco, engle, Florida, Mathis v. R.J. Reynolds
Stock photo of adding machine
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Topics: Florida, White Collar, Finance, Accounting
Jonathan Gdanski delivers his closing argument for his client, Joseph Varner, who claims tobacco industry deception caused his wife, Virginia's, nicotine addiction and fatal cancer. Jurors awarded Varner $1.5 million Tuesday.
Fort Lauderdale, FL—A Florida jury Tuesday found nicotine addiction and Philip Morris cigarettes caused a 40-year smoker's fatal cancer and awarded her widower $1.5 million in compensatory damages. But, it rejected any punitive payout and cleared R.J. Reynolds of liability. Varner v. R.J. Reynolds.
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Topics: Negligence, Products Liability, tobacco, Engle Progeny, Florida, Varner v. R.J. Reynolds
