Florida Jury Sides With Widow, Awards $21 Million Following Tobacco Trial

Mealey's (May 24, 2018, 12:10 PM EDT) -- SARASOTA, Fla. — A Florida jury on May 22 returned a verdict against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and Philip Morris USA Inc., deeming the tobacco companies primarily responsible for the lung cancer death of Edward “Fred” Theis; one day later, on May 23, the jury awarded his widow $14 million in punitive damages (Faye Theis v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., et al., No. 2011-CA-001941-NC, Fla. 12th Jud. Cir., Sarasota Co.). VIDEO FROM THE TRIAL IS AVAILABLE....