The final witness in Warrick v. R.J. Reynolds was Dr. Jill Hayes, Ph.D., who was offered by the defense as an expert in addiction. According to Dr. Hayes, cigarette smokers can quit smoking even if addicted, and having difficulty quitting a behavior does not necessarily indicate an addiction, just as people dieting want to lose weight, but may eat too much anyway.
Topics: Toxic Torts, Products Liability, Engle Progeny, Warrick v. RJ Reynolds, Tobacco Litigation
Testimony completed and both sides rested this morning in Piendle v. R.J. Reynolds.
Topics: Toxic Torts, Products Liability, Engle Progeny, Tobacco Litigation, Piendle v. RJ Reynolds
The defense took a complete victory in Scheer v. Ford. Plaintiff Patricia Scheer claimed that leg and neck injuries resulted from a design defect in the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer's seat back.
Topics: Scheer v. Ford, Products Liability, Vehicle Defect
Opening statement in Warrick v. RJ Reynolds by Shook Hardy Bacon's Ken Reilly, on behalf of Philip Morris, reminded the jury that not all smokers get addicted, and addicted smokers can quit. Moreover, quitting smoking can prevent or reduce the effects of smoking-related illness.
Topics: Toxic Torts, Products Liability, Engle Progeny, Warrick v. RJ Reynolds, Tobacco Litigation
Piendle v. RJ Reynolds, the first Engle-progeny tobacco trial to be held in Palm Beach, Florida pits Searcy Denney's Greg Barnhart, representing Charlie Piendle's widow, Margaret Piendle, against Jones Day's Peter Biersteker, on behalf of RJ Reynolds, and Shook Hardy Bacon's Frank Kelly, on behalf of Philip Morris. CVN is webcasting live, gavel-to-gavel.
Topics: Toxic Torts, Products Liability, Engle Progeny, Tobacco Litigation, Piendle v. RJ Reynolds
