$300 Million Dollar Verdict for Former Smoker
A Broward Circuit Court Jury returned a $300 million verdict against Philip Morris USA within hours of closing arguments in favor of Cindy Naugle, the sister of Jim Naugle, a former mayor of Fort Lauderdale. Naugle, 61, who stopped smoking in 1993, smoked her first cigarette in 1968 when she was twenty years old because she thought they “made her look older.” She told the jury that had she known then what the tobacco companies already knew, but had concealed, namely that nicotine is a highly-additive drug and cigarettes were considered by Philip Morris to be a “drug delivery device,” she never would have taken that first puff. The jury assessed $56.6 million against Philip Morris for Naugle’s past and future medical expenses as well as for her pain and suffering. It also assessed punitive damages in the amount of $244 million to punish the company for its misconduct. The jury also found Ms. Naugle was 10%responsible because of her decision to start smoking.
Links to some of the coverage
NEW YORK TIMES:
Ex-Smoker Wins Against Philip Morris
DAILY BUSINESS REVIEW:
Attorney Credits Financial Breakdown for $300M Award
WASHINGTON EXAMINER:
Ex-smoker hopes verdict will buy a lung transplant
NPR:
Florida Smoker Wins $300M Judgment Against Philip Morris
BLOOMBERG NEWS:
Philip Morris Must Pay Smoker Almost $300 Million, Jury Says
DAILY FINANCE:
Philip Morris gets snuffed on a $300 million verdict for a former smoker
CBS 4:
Jury Awards $300 Million To Fla. Smoker
SUN SENTINEL:
Ex-Mayor Naugle's sister wins $300 million tobacco verdict
YAHOO NEWS:
Philip Morris hit with record 300 million dollar fine
THE INDEPENDENT:
Smoker in Florida awarded $300m damages against Philip Morris
UPI:
Woman wins $300M verdict in tobacco suit
REUTERS:
Philip Morris ordered to pay $300 million to smoker
BBC:
Tobacco firm Philip Morris to pay $300m in damages
THE AM LAW LITIGATION DAILY:
Plaintiffs Lawyer in $300 Million Florida Smoking Suit: 'The Jury Was Impressed by the Numbers'
ABA JOURNAL:
Jury Says Philip Morris Must Pay $300M to Longtime Smoker
Links to Television Coverage