Virginia Medical Malpractice Blog - Williamson & Lavecchia, L.C.

$300M Verdict against Philip Morris

On November 19 a Florida jury awarded the plaintiff $300 million dollars in the case of Naugle v. Phillip Morris USA. The plaintiff had become wheelchair bound as a result of emphysema after a history of cigarette-smoking.

That figure included some $244 million in punitive damages against the cigarette maker.

This is the largest verdict in a so-called 'Engle' case to date. Engle v. RJ Reynolds was a US Supreme Court case that rejected the attempt to use a massive class-action to fight cigarette manufacturers. As a result, many plaintiffs are fighting the  battle on their own.

People suffer injuries every day from their use of consumer products, not just obivously dangerous ones like cigarettes. If you or a loved one has been injured through your use of some product, contact an attorney at Williamson and Lavecchia to protect your rights.