Tobacco Company Tells Panel $10.6M Verdict Was Based On Changed Testimony, Hearsay

Mealey's (January 7, 2021, 9:13 AM EST) -- WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (RJR) urged a Florida appellate panel during oral arguments on Jan. 5 to order a new trial in a deceased smoker’s son’s lawsuit against it that ended in a $10.6 million jury verdict, arguing that the trial court erred by barring it from cross-examining a witness about inconsistencies in her testimony, allowing backward-looking hearsay testimony and allowing references to illegal drug use during closing arguments....