Subscribe- Plaintiff
- Blitch, Elizabeth
- Represented By:
- Wilner, Norwood (Wilner Hartley & Metcalf, P.A.)
- Defense
- Liggett Group Inc.
- Represented By:
- Luther, Kelly (Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP)
Summary
The Blitch and Bowman Engle tobacco cases were filed together, but tried separately.
Blitch v. R.J. Reynolds
In this Engle progeny tobacco litigation proceeding, plaintiff James Blitch (personal representative of the estate of Elizabeth Blitch) alleged Liggett Group of fraudulent concealment of dangers of smoking cigarettes manufactured by the company which led Elizabeth Blitz to get addicted to smoking at an early age. The plaintiff also alleged the company of manufacturing defective cigarettes which resulted in Ms. Blitchs death due to cancer of the esophagus in 1998.
The plaintiff was represented by attorney Norwood Wilner. The defendant in this case, Liggett group was represented by attorney Kelly Luther.
The jury found that Ms. Blitch was addicted to smoking, and the addiction to smoking was the legal cause of the cancer that caused her death. However, the jury also found that neither Liggett's actions nor the defective nature of the cigarettes was a legal cause of Ms. Blitch's death. For more information , visit the CVN News Blog.
Bowman v. R.J. Reynolds
Mike Bowman died of esophageal cancer allegedly caused by smoking R.J. Reynolds cigarettes. The jury found that Mr. Bowman was addicted to cigarettes, and that RJR was liable for his death. The jury awarded $1.5M in damages, but allocated 70% of the fault to the plaintiff. For more information about the Bowman trial, visit the CVN News Blog.
Outcome
Blitch: Found for the defense
- Plaintiff
- Defense
- Judge
- Charles Arnold
- Jurisdiction
- 4th Judicial Circuit of Florida
- Court
- Duval County Courthouse
- Case Number
- 07-11175M
- Industry
- Tobacco
- Practice Area
- Products Liability, Tobacco, Toxic Torts, Tort Law, Negligence
Sessions
AM Session
Openings
7 Chapters
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
13 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
8 Chapters
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
13 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
6 Chapters
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
5 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
17 Chapters
PM Session
Not in Session
0 Chapters
AM Session
Not in Session
0 Chapters
PM Session
Not in Session
0 Chapters
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
8 Chapters
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
15 Chapters
AM Session
Closings
8 Chapters
PM Session
Other
2 Chapters
AM Session
Verdict
3 Chapters
Recording Disclaimer: This proceeding was recorded in full.