Tobacco company verdict overview:
- Who: A jury in Florida awarded more than $9 million to the family of a man whose death was ruled to have primarily been caused by smoking cigarettes made by RJR Reynolds Tobacco Co.
- Why: The jury found R.J. Reynolds 90% responsible for the death of Dale Moyer, a longtime smoker who died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease in 2013.
- Where: The smoker death verdict was reached in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.
A Florida jury ordered RJR Reynolds Tobacco Co. to pay more than $9 million to the family of a man whose death was ruled to mainly have been caused by smoking the company’s cigarettes.
The jury determined R.J. Reynolds was 90% responsible for the 2013 death of Dale Moyer and awarded $3 million to each of his three daughters and more than $373,000 in medical expenses he incurred, reports Law360.
Moyer, a longtime smoker who died at the age of 83, was ruled in the tobacco company verdict to have been 10% responsible for his death from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease.
The monetary funds were awarded to Moyer’s daughters as compensation for loss of parental companionship and pain and suffering, reports Law360.
Tobacco company verdict: R.J. Reynolds deliberately downplayed health effects of nicotine
Moyer’s family reportedly argued that R.J. Reynolds and other tobacco companies purposefully downplayed the health risks associated with nicotine and manipulated their products to be more addictive to consumers.
A jury previously awarded a reported $3.1 million in compensatory damages to Moyer’s family in 2014, while determining at the time that the deceased was 70% at fault for the diseases that led to his death.
A new trial was granted by the trial court, however, after it was determined the defense had not been able to question a 31-member jury pool prior to excusing them for bias, reports Law360.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned six Vuse Alto-brand e-cigarettes last October after finding the products were not proven to be appropriate for public health or that they had an added benefit for adults that outweighed their known risks to youth.
Have you been injured by a tobacco company? Let us know in the comments.
The estate is represented by Jonathan R. Gdanski, Steven Hammer and Brittany C. Barron of Schlesinger Law Offices PA.
The tobacco company verdict is In re: Irimi, et al. v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., et al., Case No. CACE08026337, in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.
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24 thoughts onTobacco company to pay $9M following smoker death verdict
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Yes, I would like to be a part of this case in regards to my husband that passed away in December 2022 from cancer due smoking that contributed to his C.O.P.D and tongue cancer which he was diagnosed in 2005 I would love to be contacted by an attorney. If possible to start or partake in .
I have COPD it has ruined my life
I have recently quit smoking but have copd and lung issues due to tobacco.
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I am a 44 yr. Old female I am sick of these cigarettes I have tried to stop for the past 15 year’s, my dear Mom died from the Tobacco industry smoking cigarettes she couldn’t stop then ended up with C.O.P.D. had a stoke 2 month’s in the hospital and Rehabilitation then came home on 24/7 Oxygen usage every day from June 2016 till her Death on January 23rd 2022 because of these Tobacco companies getting away with silent Murder and staying filthy rich not caring about our loved one’s! I am suffering trying to quit smoking I don’t want to die I want to breath fresh air and live ! Please I need a Lawyer to help me go after the Tobacco Company to fight to save my life 🙏 please I’m begging I don’t want to smoke anymore I feel like I’m off life support without these addictive cigarettes! I want to live and sue them for killing my sweet Momma she just had her 65th Birthday 11/29/2021 then dies a wrongful Death 1/23/2022 I will have a early death too if something isn’t done ! Please I hope a Lawyer will reach out to help me I have 3 beautiful grand children I am young I want to live a happy healthy life not stinky if cigarettes and die a fast miserable death suffer to breath on a leash as my poor weak suffering Mom I took care and had to watch every day of suffering for a miserable 5 year’s on Oxygen to her death my heart is forever 💔 broken it nearly killed me watching and then losing her she was so young and full if life 💔 how much evil people are these Tobacco companies to relax and enjoy our death’s while staying rich and healthy living their best life 💔 how heartbreaking unbelievable! Get rid of these people their Companies please STOP allowing cigarette Sales a together ❤ please save us who beg to live 🙏!
I’m 53 and I never knew smoking caused COPD till I got it. Smoking companies didn’t advertise that.
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