A Florida jury has awarded the widow of a chain-smoker who died of lung cancer punitive damages of more than $23bn in her case against the RJ Reynolds Tobacco, the nation's second-largest cigarette maker. The judgment, returned on Friday night in a Pensacola court, was the largest in Florida history in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by an individual, according to the woman's legal team. Cynthia Robinson, of Pensacola, sued the cigarette maker, whose brands include Camel, in 2008 over the death of her husband, Michael Johnson. Johnson smoked up to 60 cigarettes a day for more 20 years and died of lung cancer in 1996 aged 36

"He couldn't quit. He was smoking the day he died," lawyer Chris Chestnut told the Reuters news agency on Saturday. After four weeks of hearings and 15 hours of jury deliberations, the jury said that the tobacco company was negligent in informing Robinson's husband, that smoking causes lung cancer and that nicotine is highly addictive.Compensatory damages of $7.3 million were awarded to the widow and the couple's child, and $9.6 million to Johnson's son from a previous relationship. The jury also awarded Robinson $23.6bn in punitive damages, according to the verdict forms. This wasn't a runaway jury, it was a courageous one-Chris Chestnut, plaintiff's lawyer

'Runaway verdict'

Jeffery Raborn, the vice-president and assistant general counsel for RJ Reynolds, said in a statement quoted by the New York Times that the company planned to challenge "this runaway verdict". "This verdict goes far beyond the realm of reasonableness and fairness and is completely inconsistent with the evidence presented," he said. Such industry appeals are often successful. A $28bn ruling against the tobacco firm Philip Morris in 2002 was reduced on appeal to $28m. Robinson's lawsuit originally was part of a large class-action litigation known as the "Engle case" filed in 1994 against tobacco companies.

A jury in that case returned a verdict in 2000 in favour of the plaintiffs, awarding $145bn in punitive damages, which at the time was the largest such judgment in US history. That award, however, was overruled in 2006 by the Florida supreme court, saying that the group was too disparate and each smoker smoked for different reasons. However, the court said individual cases could be filed. The Florida high court also let stand the jury's findings that cigarettes are defective, dangerous and cause disease, and that tobacco firms were negligent, meaning those issues did not have to be re-examined in future cases.

Credit: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/07/us-widow-wins-236bn-tobacco-payout-201472004712110239.html

There will be an appeal and also most likely not a single Dollar in cash will be given to the Woman(widow) bt its a fact she went to court and won her case. Naija ppl don dey already look hw if na dem, na poster straight. " Widow for President". because with that amount of money you can confidently invest in Nigeria's presidency win the election and steal $1thrillion dollars in return on investement.

Chai! Na only waka buk this space oooo

This woman has been catapulted from a nobody to the 62nd richest person in the world! Yaga!!!!

The company already filed an appeal... she might not get even 1cent....

Alright

have notin to say

I suspect a fowl play in the judgment, common sense would tell the Jury including the chief judge that the verdict is very ridiculous. Remove such an amount from the world richest man's account, he will definitely feel the pinch. The aforementioned amount is just too outrageous

just passing by jejely

Smokers are liable to die young. ;DSmokers are liable to die young.

Do they force him to buy their product

There own cigar packet on get any warning sign. I trust naija company. They don put there own since 1900. Cos they no this kind of stuff will come up one day if they don't act fast. " SMOKER ARE LIABLE TO DIE YOUNG " who go fit sue them when they don already tell you this sign. So you are smoking at your own risk.

The days of tobacco companies are numbered already with the advent of Vapes and Vapor, they wont be needed around, which is much more safe and healthier to smoke because it has no nicotine and other toxic chemicals.

Ok

Wow, tjats just ridiculous. See, smoking might not be that bad after all

I rather file for bankruptcy than pay the money.rubbish!!!

na dem dey force feed am.

Sometimes I think smokers are very stupid, it is always in the adverts of tobacco that "Smokers are liable to die young"


If you are already told that smoking kills, and evidence has shown that a lot of people have died as a result of smoking..

The Question is why do they smoke? the damage to health is far too much.

Make person give me this kain money make I use am upgrade my business. I need this kain money in my life with immediate effect. Today is the start of a new week, Mercies of the Lord come down to your Children this week! Amin.

MORAL OF D STORY; SMOKING IS BETTER DAN ANY LIFE INSURANCE POLICY......SO START SMOKING 2 SECURE D FUTURE OF UR FAMILY

Punitive Damages are not going to be given to the woman, she already received 7 million, the money is supposed to be spent by the company to prevent such situations from happening again, like advertisements, endorsements and all, punitive damages cannot also be enforced.

#educateyourselfbeforecommenting.

Say WT Eva u want I will still Love my MARY JANE

Immediate appeal, what nonesense!! The company is not even worth that much.

I read this saw this case unfold, and in my opinion the company should not be made to pay a dime.

Tobacco is legal, and comes with its warning. If you do not heed the warning, na u sabi.

It's not like the company told him he won a tobacco lottery, but before claiming his winnings he must
smoke 100 packs of cigarette in a day for two weeks or some ish.

Sounds like John Grisham again...

Loving this

Smoking pays



after death anyway

Jury seem to be passing judgement based on sentiments rather than evidence!

hmmm, that judge must be high on tobacco...

Arrant nonsense!! *smokers re liable to die young* mtchewwwwww

This is ridiculous