Dustin Herman delivers the opening statement in trial over the death of underwater filmmaker Wesley Skiles, who drowned in 2010. Skiles' wife, Terri, claims her husband died because of a defective rebreather made by Dive Rite. 

West Palm Beach, FL—Attorneys Monday debated whether defective equipment or diver error caused a renowned underwater filmmaker to drown, as trial began against the company that made the equipment. Skiles v. Lamartek Inc., et al., 2012-CA-013132.2012-CA-013132. 

William Wichmann delivers his opening statement at trial against R.J. Reynolds. Wichmann's claims Reynolds deception led to Marion Dion's nicotine addiction and death.

Sarasota, FL—Whether addiction fueled a Florida woman’s 40-plus years of smoking took center stage last week as trial opened against R.J. Reynolds for the woman’s cancer death. Dion v. R.J. Reynolds, 13CA5673.

Gary Paige delivers closings arguments at trial against R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris for the cancer death of Tom Purdo. Jurors awarded Purdo's family more than $33 million, including $12.5 million in punitives. 

West Palm Beach, FL—Jurors this week awarded $33.5 million to the family of a Florida attorney after finding the nation’s two largest tobacco companies responsible for his cancer death. Purdo v. R.J, Reynolds, et al., 2007-CA-024173.

Eric Rosen delivers closings in Vivian Turner's suit against R.J. Reynolds over the death of her mother, Vivian Wilkinson. Jurors awarded Turner and her brother $3 million in compensatory damages, plus potential punitives. 

Breaking Update 4/22/16: Jurors imposed a $10 million punitive verdict on R.J. Reynolds for its role in a former bartender's fatal respiratory disease. Friday's punitives boost the total award to $13 million for the children of Vivian Wilkinson, who died after more than 40 years of smoking. 

The punitive verdict, which exceeded the $8.8 million in punitives  Kelley/Uustal's Eric Rosen requested in Friday morning's closings, followed about an hour of deliberations.   

CVN will provide additional details as events warrant. The original story follows. 

Mark Avera delivers the closings at trial against Domino's Pizza over the crash that paralyzed and ultimately killed Richard Wiederhold. Jurors found the pizza company liable and awarded more than $10 million.