Cory Hohnbaum tells jurors Mary Howles smoked despite knowing the dangers of cigarettes. Howles is suing Philip Morris and Hohnbaum's client, R.J. Reynolds, claiming the tobacco companies are responsible for her cancer and respiratory disease. 

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Attorneys debated what drove a Florida nurse to smoke up to three packs of cigarettes a day for more than 30 years, before she developed lung cancer and respiratory disease, as trial opened this week in her suit against the nation’s two largest tobacco companies. Howles v. Philip Morris, et al., CACE07-34919.

Gary Paige tells jurors federal oversight and settlements should not mitigate against imposing punitive damages for Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds' role in the lung cancer death of Patricia Ledoux. 

Miami—Jurors awarded $35 million to the widower of an airline worker after finding the nation’s two largest cigarette manufacturers responsible for her fatal lung cancer. Ledoux v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., 07-CA-43991.

W. Douglas Childs argues Dr. Gregory Pavlat, whom Childs represents, and Dr. Benjamin Moore properly treated Margaret Roberts for blood clots in the days before a stroke that left her needing around-the-clock care for the rest of her life. Jurors found for the doctors in Roberts' $9.5 million suit. 

Jacksonville, FL—Two physicians prevailed Friday against a patient’s claim that she suffered a catastrophic stroke because of their failure to properly treat her. Margaret and Darrell Roberts v. Dr. Gregory Pavlat and Dr. Benjamin Moore,  2011-CA-007017.

Juan Bauta argues Florence Monroe's throat cancer was caused by years of smoking R.J. Reynolds-brand cigarettes.

Quincy, FL—Jurors Wednesday awarded $11 million to a former smoker for the role they found R.J. Reynolds played in causing the throat cancer that took her voice box.  Florence Monroe v. R.J. Reynolds, 2013-CA-001121.  

Dr. Lazar Greenfield, details the blood filter he developed that bears his name. Greenfield said his filter could possibly have stopped a clot of the size attorneys allege caused Margaret Roberts to suffer a debilitating stroke. 

Jacksonville, FL—The developer of a filter designed to protect against catastrophic complications from blood clots told jurors his device may have stopped the clot attorneys claim left a Florida woman with lifelong brain damage, as trial continued against the woman’s physicians. Margaret and Darryl Roberts v. Dr. Gregory Pavlat M.D., et al., 2011-CA-007017.