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Man's survivors lose suit against tobacco firm 

The family's lawyer, Denman Heard, who has gained a sizable reputation as an asbestos litigator, said he respected the jury's decision and was considering whether to appeal. . .

Heard praised Jeannie Grinnell for following her late husband's dying request to continue with the lawsuit. "She is one of the most courageous and brave women I have known," he said. "She did this because her husband believed there is an entire generation of Americans deceived by tobacco companies." . .

Texas Supreme Court in 1997 agreed partially with Floyd and partially with the appeals court.

Writing for the 6-2 majority, then-Justice John Cornyn found that reports of the dangers of smoking had been well-known since the 19th century.

"We conclude that the general health dangers attributable to cigarettes were commonly known as a matter of law by the community when Grinnell began smoking," Cornyn wrote, agreeing with Floyd's ruling.

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