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| Widow of lung cancer victim wins $23.6bn in damages from America's second biggest tobacco company | |
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| The widow of a cigarette smoker who died of lung cancer has been awarded $23.6billion (£14billion) in compensation from America's second biggest tobacco company. | The widow of a cigarette smoker who died of lung cancer has been awarded $23.6billion (£14billion) in compensation from America's second biggest tobacco company. |
| Cynthia Robinson started legal action in 2008 against RJ Reynolds, makers of the Camel, Pall Mall, Winston and other famous cigarette brands, seeking compensation for her husband's death in 1996. | Cynthia Robinson started legal action in 2008 against RJ Reynolds, makers of the Camel, Pall Mall, Winston and other famous cigarette brands, seeking compensation for her husband's death in 1996. |
| The punitive damages are the largest of any individual case stemming from a class action lawsuit filed in Florida. | The punitive damages are the largest of any individual case stemming from a class action lawsuit filed in Florida. |
| The damages come after a four-week trial and also include an additional to $16.8million (£9.8million) in compensatory damages awarded on Friday. | The damages come after a four-week trial and also include an additional to $16.8million (£9.8million) in compensatory damages awarded on Friday. |
| During the trial lawyers for Ms Robinson argued that RJ Reynolds was negligent in informing consumers of the addictive dangers of tobacco. | During the trial lawyers for Ms Robinson argued that RJ Reynolds was negligent in informing consumers of the addictive dangers of tobacco. |
| Her Lawyers argued that the negligence led to Michael Johnson Sr contracting lung cancer from smoking cigarettes after becoming "addicted" and failing to quit after many attempts to stop smoking. | Her Lawyers argued that the negligence led to Michael Johnson Sr contracting lung cancer from smoking cigarettes after becoming "addicted" and failing to quit after many attempts to stop smoking. |
| Christopher Chestnut, a lawyer representing Ms Johnson, said: "The jury wanted to send a statement that tobacco [companies] cannot continue to lie to the American people and the American government about the addictiveness of and the deadly chemicals in their cigarettes." | Christopher Chestnut, a lawyer representing Ms Johnson, said: "The jury wanted to send a statement that tobacco [companies] cannot continue to lie to the American people and the American government about the addictiveness of and the deadly chemicals in their cigarettes." |
| Ms Robinon's lawyers said the goal of the lawsuit was to stop tobacco companies from targeting children and young people with their advertising. | Ms Robinon's lawyers said the goal of the lawsuit was to stop tobacco companies from targeting children and young people with their advertising. |
| RJ Reynolds plans to appeal against the court's decision - the company's vice president and assistant general counsel Jeffery Raborn called the damages "grossly excessive and impermissible under state and constitutional law". | RJ Reynolds plans to appeal against the court's decision - the company's vice president and assistant general counsel Jeffery Raborn called the damages "grossly excessive and impermissible under state and constitutional law". |
| In June, the US Supreme Court turned away cigarette manufacturers' appeals of more than $70million (£41million) in court judgments to Florida smokers. | In June, the US Supreme Court turned away cigarette manufacturers' appeals of more than $70million (£41million) in court judgments to Florida smokers. |
| And in August, a Fort Lauderdale jury awarded $37.5million (£22million), including $22.5million (£13.2million) in punitive damages, against RJ Reynolds, to the family of a smoker who died at the age 38 of lung cancer in 1995. | And in August, a Fort Lauderdale jury awarded $37.5million (£22million), including $22.5million (£13.2million) in punitive damages, against RJ Reynolds, to the family of a smoker who died at the age 38 of lung cancer in 1995. |