William Geraghty delivers closing arguments on behalf of Philip Morris in Bernice McCall's suit against the company. Jurors awarded McCall $350,000 in compensatory damages and rejected her claim for punitives, after finding an addiction to cigarettes caused her husband's lung cancer but not his death. 

Fort Lauderdale—Jurors Wednesday awarded $350,000 to the widow of an alcohol abuse counselor who developed cancer after 40 years of smoking, but rejected the case's wrongful death claim and cleared cigarette maker Philip Morris  of the lion’s share of liability. McCall v. Philip Morris, 2007-CV-036888.

Jason Keehfus delivers the closing argument on behalf of R.J. Reynolds in Elizabeth Smith's suit against Reynolds and Philip Morris. Jurors Monday found her claimed smoking-related diseases did not develop within the time allowed for membership in a class action against the companies. 

West Palm Beach, FL—A jury Monday concluded a Florida woman did not have cancer or respiratory disease within the time required for membership in a class action against the nation’s tobacco companies, clearing Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds of liability in her suit. Smith v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., et al., 2007-CA-023930.

During opening statements Wednesday, Jordan Chaikin claims nicotine addiction fueled Martin McCall's 40-year smoking history. McCall died in 1992 after being diagnosed with lung cancer. His wife, Bernice, is suing Philip Morris for its alleged role in his death. 

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Attorneys Wednesday debated what drove an alcoholism counselor to smoke for 40 years until he died, allegedly from cancer-related complications, as trial opened in his widow's suit against tobacco giant Philip Morris. McCall v. Philip Morris, 2007-CV-036888.

During closings of Ina Ahrens's trial against cigarette makers R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris. Gary Paige tells jurors the Heaviness of Smoking Index shows Karl Ahrens was addicted to nicotine.

Updated 2/12/16, 2:04 p.m.:

St. Petersburg, FL—Jurors today awarded $9 million in compensatory damages to the widow and son of a Florida man after finding the nation’s two largest tobacco companies responsible for his fatal lung cancer. Ahrens v. Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds, 07-013535-CI-08.

Dr. Allan Goldman tells jurors he is "sure" Elizabeth Smith had lung cancer before November 21, 1996, the bar date for her claim against two tobacco companies and more than a year before doctors diagnosed her with the disease. 

West Palm Beach, FL—A pulmonologist told jurors Friday he was certain a Florida smoker had lung cancer within the time frame allowed to bring her claim against two tobacco companies, and which closed more than a year before doctors diagnosed her with the disease. Smith v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., et al., 2007-CA-023930.