Subscribe-to-CVN-Blog-Graphic-small.png

$6M Verdict to Smoker's Family for Fatal Throat Cancer, Jurors Find Nicotine Addiction Despite Smoker's Casual Cocaine Use

Posted by Meghan Gourley on Nov 3, 2016 6:58:50 PM


Miami, FL—Jurors Wednesday rejected defense claims that a recreational cocaine user could not be addicted to nicotine and awarded his family $6 million for the role they found R.J. Reynolds played in his fatal throat cancer. Ledo v. R.J. Reynolds, 08-113-CA-31. 

Read More

Topics: Negligence, Products Liability, tobacco, Engle Progeny, Florida, Ledo v. R.J. Reynolds

$7.5M Verdict, Plus Possible Punitives, Thumps R.J. Reynolds at Trial Over Army Vet's Deadly Cancer

Posted by Meghan Gourley on Nov 2, 2016 7:01:42 PM

Gary Paige delivers closing arguments at trial against R.J. Reynolds for the lung cancer death of Franklin "Jim" Johnston. The jury awarded $7.5 million in compensatory damages and found the tobacco giant potentially liable for punitives. 


Sarasota, FL—Jurors Wednesday awarded $7.5 million in compensatory damages to the widow of an Army veteran for the role they found cigarette manufacturer R.J. Reynolds played in his lung cancer death. Johnston v. R.J. Reynolds, 2014-CA-004023.2014-CA-004023. 

Read More

Topics: Negligence, Products Liability, tobacco, Engle Progeny, Florida, Johnston v. R.J. Reynolds

Jury Deadlock on Addiction's Role in Fatal Cancer Leads to Mistrial in Suit Against RJR

Posted by Meghan Gourley on Nov 2, 2016 6:17:24 PM

Fort Myers, FL—Jurors Tuesday declared themselves at an impasse during deliberations in an $8.75-million trial against R.J. Reynolds over fatal complications from a smoker's lung cancer, causing a Florida judge to declare a mistrial in the case . Maloney v. R.J. Reynolds, 07-CA-015578. 

Read More

Topics: Negligence, Products Liability, tobacco, Florida, Maloney v. R.J. Reynolds

"Stubborn" Soldier Was Responsible for His Own Smoking, Defense Says as Trial Opens Over Lung Cancer Death

Posted by Meghan Gourley on Oct 26, 2016 6:11:28 PM

Sarasota, FL—A former military man described as hard-headed, stubborn, and having a short fuse, was completely responsible for his own smoking and could not have been dissuaded from his 3-pack-a-day habit, the defense claimed in opening statements last week in the trial against the cigarette maker charged with conspiring to sell the cigarettes that led to his lung cancer and death. Johnston v. R.J. Reynolds, 2014-CA-004023.2014-CA-004023. 

Read More

Topics: Negligence, Products Liability, tobacco, Engle Progeny, Florida, Johnston v. R.J. Reynolds

$20M in Punitives Slams RJR, Brings Total Verdict to $29M in Trial over Smoker's Fatal COPD

Posted by Arlin Crisco on Oct 25, 2016 4:35:52 PM

Eric Rosen argues R.J. Reynolds' decades-long concealment of smoking's dangers warrants punitive damages for the death of Elaine Konzelman, who developed fatal respiratory disease after smoking the company's cigarettes for years. Jurors awarded $20 million in punitives, brining the total award to nearly $29 million in the case. 


Fort Lauderdale, FL—Jurors Tuesday imposed a $20 million punitive award against R.J. Reynolds for the role the tobacco company played in the fatal respiratory disease of a Florida smoker, bringing the total award in the case to nearly $29 million. Konzelman v. R.J. Reynolds, 2008-CV-019620.

Read More

Topics: Negligence, Products Liability, Engle Progeny, Florida, Konzelman v. R.J. Reynolds