Randall Bassett delivers his closing argument on behalf of R.J. reynolds, accused of responsibility for the laryngeal cancer and eventual death of Ralph Shadd.

West Palm Beach, FL—Jurors this week found a Florida smoker's cancer and death were caused by R.J. Reynolds cigarettes, but shut out the smoker’s widow on her claim for damages against the tobacco company. Shadd v. R.J. Reynolds, 2008-CA-038631.

Scott Schlesinger delivers his closing argument at trial against R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris for smoking-related diseases Mary Lima claims her husband developed because of nicotine addiction and tobacco industry concealment of smoking's dangers. 

Update: Jurors Friday imposed a $12 million punitive verdict against R.J. Reynolds for the smoking-related disease effects they found Johnny Lima suffered as a result of Reynolds' participation in a long-standing conspiracy to hide the dangers of cigarettes. 

The punitive verdict brings the total award to $15 million in the case.  A day earlier the jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages to Lima's widow, Mary, but absolved codefendant Philip Morris of responsibility. 

Tampa, FL—A state court jury Thursday awarded $3 million in compensatory damages to a Florida smoker’s widow, and found punitives potentially warranted for the role R.J. Reynolds played in his smoking-related illness. But, it absolved the tobacco giant of his death and completely cleared Philip Morris of responsibility. Lima v. R.J. Reynolds, et al. 21015-CA-007140.

Stock image. 

Update 4/21/17: Parties to the suit settled their case Friday, three days before jury selection was scheduled to begin in the case. Terms of the settlement were not immediately released. 

Lawrenceville, GA—Jury selection is set to begin in Gwinnett County State Court Monday over a former frozen food worker's claim that years of exposure to an artificial butter flavoring caused his lung disease. Anderson v. Illes Food Ingredients, 10-C-15420-S4.