William Geraghty delivers closing arguments on behalf of Philip Morris in Bernice McCall's suit against the company. Jurors awarded McCall $350,000 in compensatory damages and rejected her claim for punitives, after finding an addiction to cigarettes caused her husband's lung cancer but not his death. 

Fort Lauderdale—Jurors Wednesday awarded $350,000 to the widow of an alcohol abuse counselor who developed cancer after 40 years of smoking, but rejected the case's wrongful death claim and cleared cigarette maker Philip Morris  of the lion’s share of liability. McCall v. Philip Morris, 2007-CV-036888.

St. Petersburg, FL— Sweeping privacy rights questions take the forefront as CVN-webcast jury selection begins March 2 in Hulk Hogan’s $100 million suit against Gawker Media for its publication of a sex video featuring the pro wrestler. Terry Bollea v. Gawker Media LLC, 12-012447-CI.

Jason Keehfus delivers the closing argument on behalf of R.J. Reynolds in Elizabeth Smith's suit against Reynolds and Philip Morris. Jurors Monday found her claimed smoking-related diseases did not develop within the time allowed for membership in a class action against the companies. 

West Palm Beach, FL—A jury Monday concluded a Florida woman did not have cancer or respiratory disease within the time required for membership in a class action against the nation’s tobacco companies, clearing Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds of liability in her suit. Smith v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., et al., 2007-CA-023930.

During opening statements Wednesday, Jordan Chaikin claims nicotine addiction fueled Martin McCall's 40-year smoking history. McCall died in 1992 after being diagnosed with lung cancer. His wife, Bernice, is suing Philip Morris for its alleged role in his death. 

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Attorneys Wednesday debated what drove an alcoholism counselor to smoke for 40 years until he died, allegedly from cancer-related complications, as trial opened in his widow's suit against tobacco giant Philip Morris. McCall v. Philip Morris, 2007-CV-036888.

Keri Arnold delivers closing arguments Saturday during trial in Ina Ahrens' suit against R.J. Reynolds and Arnold's client, Philip Morris. 

St. Petersburg, FL—Following a rare Saturday session, jurors imposed a $5 million punitive verdict against the nation’s two largest cigarette makers, capping a Florida widow’s trial for the lung cancer death of her husband. Ahrens v. Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds, 07-013535-CI-08.