Giambalvo v. R.J. Reynolds

Summary

In this tobacco trial, Salvatore Giambalvo developed fatal lung cancer after smoking daily since he was 15 years old. His family sues R.J. Reynolds for Giambalvo's cancer and for conspiring for decades to hide the dangers of smoking.

Representatives for his family claim that he was addicted to nicotine. This nicotine addiction, they argue, led to his continued smoking and eventual development of what experts diagnosed as a smoking-related adenocarcinoma.

R.J. Reynolds insists Giambalvo was aware of the risks yet continued to smoke because he enjoyed it. Additionally, Reynolds contests whether the cancer was related to Giambalvo's cigarette use, as they claim evidence indicates doctors initially diagnosed the disease as bronchoalveolar carcinoma, which is not tied to smoking.

Outcome

Verdict for plaintiff.
Total damages: $15,495,000.
Including $7 million in compensatory damages and $8,495,000 in punitive damages.