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.
Topics: Negligence, Products Liability, tobacco, Engle Progeny, Florida, Johnston v. R.J. Reynolds
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.
Topics: Negligence, Products Liability, tobacco, Florida, Maloney v. R.J. Reynolds
Miami, FL—Lawyers began battle this week in the case of a Cuban immigrant who died of laryngeal cancer 20 years ago, as they debated whether a smoker could truly be addicted to nicotine if he could stop and start a casual casual cocaine habit. Ledo v. R.J. Reynolds, 08-113-CA-31.
Topics: tobacco, Engle Progeny, Florida, Ledo v. R.J. Reynolds
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.
Topics: Negligence, Products Liability, tobacco, Engle Progeny, Florida, Johnston v. R.J. Reynolds
Fort Lauderdale, FL—Jurors awarded nearly $8.8 million in compensatory damages to a Florida man for the smoking-related death of his wife, and found R.J. Reynolds potentially liable for punitive damages, after concluding the tobacco company was responsible for the woman's nicotine addiction and respiratory disease. Konzelman v. R.J. Reynolds, 2008-CV-019620.
Topics: Negligence, Products Liability, tobacco, Engle Progeny, Florida, Konzelman v. R.J. Reynolds
