Lagadimas v. R.J. Reynolds

Summary

In this tobacco case, nurse Dawn O'Toole developed fatal lung cancer at 54 after smoking Lorillard cigarettes for four decades. After R.J. Reynolds bought Lorillard in 2015, O'Toole's family sued R.J. Reynolds, claiming Lorillard's Newport cigarettes were responsible for O'Toole's cancer.

Representatives for the plaintiff accuse Lorillard of engaging in conspiracy and concealing the dangers of smoking from the public for decades. Additionally, O'Toole's family's attorneys argue Lorillard could have produced a safer cigarette but chose to manipulate nicotine levels to keep smokers addicted.

Representatives for the defendant claim O'Toole chose to smoke despite knowing the risks. They state that the proposed alternative designs were not safer than the cigarettes that she smoked.

Outcome

Verdict Reached For Defense.