RJ Reynolds Ordered to Pay $20 Million in Smoking Cancer Lawsuit
Thousands of smoking cancer lawsuits are expected to be filed against major tobacco manufacturers, thanks to the Engle progeny trial structure.
A Florida jury has ordered tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds to pay $20 million in compensatory and punitive damages to the daughter of a woman who died of lung cancer after a life of smoking. The smoking cancer case was part of the Engle progeny lawsuits that have been filed in Florida against major cigarette manufacturing companies, in order to determine what amount in damages former smokers may be entitled to. If you have been diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition caused by smoking, such as lung cancer, our consumer advocates at the Leading Justice can help. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers harmed by dangerous products, and can help put you in touch with a knowledgeable attorney who has experience handling smoking cancer claims.
Cigarette Lung Cancer Claims
Thousands of Engle progeny cases are pending in Florida state courts, following a 2006 decision that vacated a $145 billion judgment in a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of approximately 700,000 smokers. As a result of the ruling, members of the class action were permitted to file individual lawsuits against the tobacco companies, and while they are not required to establish liability against the cigarette makers, they do have to prove that their injuries were caused by an addiction to smoking. In the latest smoking cancer lawsuit, the jury awarded a combined $20 million in damages to Gwendolyn Odom, whose mother, Juanita Thurston, died of lung cancer in 1993. However, because the jury determined that Thurston was 25% responsible for her own death, Odom will only receive $4.5 million of the compensatory award.
Contact a Smoking Cancer Attorney Today
The U.S. Supreme Court recently denied a request by tobacco manufacturers to hear an appeal challenging the constitutionality of the Engle progeny trial structure. As a result of the rejected appeal, thousands of individual smoking cancer lawsuits are expected to continue to trial, and several have already resulted in multi-million dollar awards for affected plaintiffs and their families. In fact, including the recent Odom ruling, tobacco companies like R.J. Reynolds have already been hit with $500 million worth of jury verdicts in the smoking cancer litigation. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or another serious side effect caused by an addiction to cigarettes, contact a reputable smoking cancer lawyer today to discuss your legal options.