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

BREAKING: Boston Jury Hits RJR With $43.1M Verdict in Cancer Trial, Clears Philip Morris & Auto Parts Co.

Posted by Arlin Crisco on Oct 12, 2018 11:00:00 AM

Stock image. 


Update 10/12/18: A Massachusetts state court jury Friday afternoon awarded the family of a former brake worker $43.1 million after finding R.J. Reynolds liable for his lung cancer death, but jurors cleared Philip Morris and an auto parts company of responsibility. 

The verdict, reached after four days of deliberations, includes $13.1 million in compensatory damages for the 2015 death of Lous Summerlin and $30 million in punitives imposed against Reynolds. 


Boston—Jurors entered their fourth day of deliberations Friday at trial over claims the nation’s two biggest cigarette makers and an auto parts company are responsible for a Massachusetts man’s fatal cancer. Summerlin v. Philip Morris, et al., 1581CV05255.

Read More

Topics: Asbestos, tobacco, Massachusetts, Summerlin v. Philip Morris

Attorneys Argue Tobacco Industry's Role in Smoker's COPD, as Trial Against RJR, Philip Morris Starts

Posted by Arlin Crisco on Oct 3, 2018 8:30:58 AM

Stock image. 


Miami— Attorneys Monday argued over what role tobacco industry messaging played in a Florida smoker's respiratory disease, as trial opened against the nation's two largest cigarette makers. Ortiz v. Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds, 2008CA000847.

Read More

Topics: tobacco, Engle Progeny, Florida, Ortiz v. Philip Morris

Jury Delivers $2.4M Verdict Against Philip Morris, but $0 Punitives, at Trial Over 31-Year-Old's Cancer Death

Posted by Arlin Crisco on Sep 28, 2018 10:46:43 AM

Stock image. 


Miami—Jurors this week handed down a $2.4 million verdict against Philip Morris for its role in the death of a 31-year-old Florida smoker, but ultimately declined to impose punitive damages against the company. Chadwell v. Philip Morris, 2010CA17931.

Read More

Topics: tobacco, Engle Progeny, Florida, Chadwell v. Philip Morris

In Trial Against Philip Morris, Questions Surround Cause of 31-Year-Old Smoker's Deadly Cancer

Posted by Arlin Crisco on Sep 21, 2018 8:23:00 AM

Stock image. 


Miami—Questions surround the cause of a 31-year-old smoker's cancer, as closings loom next week at trial against Philip Morris over the man's death. Chadwell v. Philip Morris, 2010CA17931.

Read More

Topics: tobacco, Florida, Chadwell v. Philip Morris

RJR Slapped With $6.5M Verdict Over Musician's Mouth Cancer

Posted by Arlin Crisco on Sep 19, 2018 11:36:27 AM

Stock image. 


Miami—R.J. Reynolds was hit with a $6.5 million verdict Tuesday for the part jurors found the company played in the mouth cancer a Florida musician developed after years of smoking. Harewood v. R.J. Reynolds, 2007-CA-46331.

Read More

Topics: tobacco, Engle Progeny, Florida, Harewood v. R.J. Reynolds