Florida Appeals Court Overturns $8.1 Million Verdict Against R.J. Reynolds, Calls for New Trial Amid Jury Instruction Controversy

Miami, Fla. — A recent decision by Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal has significant implications for a case against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., reversing an $8.1 million jury award. The court determined that the initial trial contained errors that warrant a new examination of the evidence on strict liability and negligence. During the previous trial, instructions provided to the jury included findings against R.J. Reynolds that had already been dismissed during the summary judgment phase. This prompted the appellate court to take action, resulting in the case being sent back for a fresh trial. … Read more

Florida Woman’s Children Awarded $11 Million in Lawsuit Against Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds Over Mother’s Smoking-Related Death

Jacksonville, Florida – Jurors awarded over $11 million this week to the children of a Florida woman who died from lung cancer after years of smoking cigarettes manufactured by the nation’s two largest tobacco companies. The case, known as Ferraiuolo v. Philip Morris, et al., involved a verdict that held Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds responsible for the woman’s death. The verdict included $1.05 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages. However, the jury attributed only 17% of the liability to Reynolds, 28% to Philip Morris, and the rest to the deceased … Read more