American Association for Justice Reports on Eleventh Circuit’s Support of $20M Tobacco Injury Case Punitive Damages Ruling

Article includes commentary from Lieff Cabraser Nashville partner Kenny Byrd, who represented the plaintiff The AAJ reports that the Eleventh Circuit has found in favor of the plaintiff in an Engle progeny tobacco injury lawsuit against cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris, holding that a punitive damages award of over $20 million was constitutionally appropriate and not

2021-05-10T23:26:03+00:00February 19th, 2021|Personal Injury, Tobacco Litigation|

Kenneth Byrd Comments on Eleventh Circuit’s Upholding of Punitive and Compensatory Damages in Florida Tobacco Litigation

As reported by Law.com (subscription), the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld an award of $6.25 million in compensatory damages and $20.7 million in punitive damages against tobacco giants R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris in favor of a now-deceased former smoker, Judith Berger. The panel found that the punitive damages award was within constitutional limits and

2021-05-10T23:43:51+00:00January 26th, 2021|Personal Injury, Tobacco Litigation|

11th Circuit Upholds $20M Verdict Against Phillip Morris for Injured Smoker in Florida Tobacco Litigation

As reported by Law360 (subscription), the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a $20.7 million verdict against the tobacco giant Philip Morris in favor of a now-deceased former smoker, Judith Berger. The panel found that the $20.7 million award was within constitutional limits and not excessive, given various facts presented in the case, including that Phillip

2021-05-10T23:44:29+00:00January 20th, 2021|Personal Injury, Tobacco Litigation|

11th Circuit Upholds $2 Million Plaintiff’s Injury Verdict Against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco

As reported by Law360 (subscription required), the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a $2.12M verdict against the tobacco company R.J. Reynolds in favor of a smoker’s widow. The three judge panel also said she was entitled to a new trial on punitive damages in her Engle progeny case, that is, a trial that

2020-09-16T13:45:12+00:00September 16th, 2020|Personal Injury, Tobacco Litigation|

11th Circuit Reinstates $27 Million Verdict for Injured Smoker Against Phillip Morris in Florida Tobacco Litigation

In 2014, Lieff Cabraser won a trial verdict against Philip Morris on behalf of injured smoker Judith Berger, who started using cigarettes at age 14. The jury awarded compensation in the amount of $6.25 million, then added an additional $20 million in punitive damages against the cigarette maker. Thereafter, the trial judge substantially undercut the

2018-11-29T10:55:49+00:00November 29th, 2018|Tobacco Litigation|

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