Amaral v. Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds

Summary

In this tobacco litigation, plaintiff, the representative of a deceased smoker's estate, seeks to recover damages for the smoker's lung cancer death. Plaintiff contends that defendant tobacco companies cigarettes were defectively designed, in that their cigarettes could have been made safer and non-addictive, and that defendants concealed the dangers of their cigarettes, fueling the smoker's addiction to nicotine and leading to his cancer.

The defense contends their cigarettes were not defectively designed and that the smoker was aware of the dangers of cigarettes but failed to stop smoking in time to avoid his disease.

Outcome

Verdict for plaintiff.
Total damages: $40.58 million
Including $4.08 million in compensatory damages and $36.5 million in punitive damages.