Jump to full article: Winston-Salem (NC) Journal, 2009-06-03
Author: Richard Craver * Journal Reporter
Intro: But it's clear from a jury's ruling this week that tobacco manufacturers, particularly R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., are facing significantly higher potential awards than had been projected.
A jury in Pensacola, Fla., on Monday awarded $5 million in compensation damages and $25 million in punitive damages from Reynolds to the family of Benny Martin.
Reynolds said it will appeal the decision.
"It is our position that the trial proceedings were unconstitutional and otherwise inconsistent with law," Reynolds spokesman David Howard said. "We believe the verdict will ultimately be reversed on these and other grounds." . . .
Edward Sweda, a senior attorney for the Tobacco Products Liability Project in Boston, said he believes the $30 million jury award is another major blow to the tobacco industry.
"The unmistakable message from this jury is that the tobacco industry's reprehensible misconduct must not be minimized or excused," Sweda said.
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