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Smoker Who Died from Cancer Driven by Addiction, Says Doctor in Trial Against Tobacco Cos.

Posted by Meghan Gourley on Jul 14, 2016 12:56:30 AM

Dr. Ronald Gup, a pulmonologist who diagnosed Virginia Varner with cancer and COPD, under cross-exam. 

Fort Lauderdale, FL — A pulmonologist who treated a woman who smoked up to two packs of cigarettes a day for 40 years testified he would consider such a smoker, “by definition,” addicted to nicotine, as trial over the woman's fatal cancer continued against the nation’s largest cigarette manufacturers. Varner v. R.J. Reynolds.

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Topics: Negligence, Products Liability, tobacco, Florida, Varner v. R.J. Reynolds

Tobacco Powerhouses Targeted Smoker as a Child, Lawyer Claims as Cancer Trial Opens

Posted by Arlin Crisco on Jul 7, 2016 7:43:26 PM

 

Scott Schlesinger tells jurors tobacco industry marketing was designed to hide the dangers of smoking and led to Virginia Varner's icotine addiction and death. Varner's husband Joseph is suing R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris, makers of the cigarettes his wife smoked. 


Fort Lauderdale, FL—Attorneys battled over whether tobacco industry deception or a smoker’s own decisions caused her fatal lung cancer, as trial opened against R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris Tuesday. Varner v. R.J. Reynolds.

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Topics: Negligence, Products Liability, tobacco, Engle Progeny, Florida, Varner v. R.J. Reynolds

$133K Award a Sliver of the Millions Sought in Cancer Trial Against Tobacco Companies

Posted by Arlin Crisco on Jul 7, 2016 2:55:58 PM

 

Kenneth Reilly delivers his closing statement for Philip Morris, accused along with R.J. Reynolds of responsibility for Myra Sermons' lung cancer and emphysema. Jurors found the companies liable but awarded only $133,300, a fraction of the more than $4.7 million Sermons' son sought in compensatory damages alone. 


Jacksonville, FL—While the nation’s two largest tobacco companies were found partially liable for causing a Florida smoker's lung disease and cancer, jurors placed the lion’s share of responsibility on the smoker and awarded only a fraction of the damages her son sought. Sermons v. R.J. Reynolds, 2008-CA-000397. 

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Topics: Negligence, tobacco, Florida, Sermons v. R.J. Reynolds

Tobacco Giants Prevail in $16.7M Trial Over Smoker's Fatal Lung Cancer

Posted by Arlin Crisco on Jun 22, 2016 5:09:26 PM

Miami—Jurors Tuesday cleared R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris of fault for the lung cancer that killed a Florida smoker. Mooney v. R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris, 2011-CA-40815.

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Topics: Negligence, Products Liability, tobacco, Florida, Mooney v. R.J. Reynolds

Tobacco Defense Vets Take On ‘Engle’ Newcomer At Trial Over Smoker’s Death

Posted by David Siegel on Jun 18, 2016 1:39:05 PM

Plaintiff attorney Andrew Rainer delivers his opening statement. Click here to see video from the trial. 

Jacksonville - A Massachusetts-based personal injury firm taking its first ‘Engle progeny’ tobacco case to trial squared off against two of the industry’s most experienced litigators in a Florida state courtroom on Thursday.

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Topics: Products Liability, tobacco, Florida