Florida jury awards $23.6 billion to widow in smoking lawsuit

[Chef Ramsay]

Completely absurd jury verdict

(CNN) -- A Florida jury awarded a widow $23.6 billion in punitive damages in her lawsuit against tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, her lawyer said.

Cynthia Robinson claimed that smoking killed her husband, Michael Johnson, in 1996. She argued R.J. Reynolds was negligent in not informing him that nicotine is addictive and smoking can cause lung cancer. Johnson started smoking when he was 13 and died of lung cancer when he was 36.

The jury award Friday evening is "courageous," said Robinson's lawyer, Christopher Chestnut.
"If anyone saw the documents that this jury saw, I believe that person would have awarded a similar or greater verdict amount," he said.

More absurdity and video footage...http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/19/us/florida-tobacco-verdict/index.html

Sorry but nobody is worth $23.6 Billion and even if it was millions it would be pushing it.

[1715228081]

1715228081

[1715228081]

1715228081

[Vod]

Nobody is worth 1 billion.

Hell, nobody is worth 0.1 billion.   I can see a couple million for punitive damages, but to be realistic this guy would not have earned more than a million dollars in his lifetime.

So she would be entitled to maybe 3 million dollars.  She got 23,600 million.   

[stevegreer]

R.J. Reynolds company is of course going to fight this, and I don't blame them. That amount is absolutely absurd! I hate frivolous lawsuits like this. No one forced the man to start smoking and no one forced him to continue smoking. Yes, nicotine is addictive, but many people quit smoking every day, so there is no reason the man could not have done it too. And smoking's health risks have been well known and well advertised for a long time now. I can only imagine the ear-to-ear grins the lawyers for this woman had. Leeches!

[Chef Ramsay]

R.J. Reynolds company is of course going to fight this, and I don't blame them. That amount is absolutely absurd! I hate frivolous lawsuits like this. No one forced the man to start smoking and no one forced him to continue smoking. Yes, nicotine is addictive, but many people quit smoking every day, so there is no reason the man could not have done it too. And smoking's health risks have been well known and well advertised for a long time now. I can only imagine the ear-to-ear grins the lawyers for this woman had. Leeches!

I know, right. When I first read this I'm this has got to be a world record for punitive damages by a long shot. And, what fucking pool of 12 people could be so fucking stupid to award such a large amount.. I agree w/ the family guy that a few million is more acceptable but this is larger than some class action lawsuits.

[ACCTseller]

R.J. Reynolds company is of course going to fight this, and I don't blame them. That amount is absolutely absurd! I hate frivolous lawsuits like this. No one forced the man to start smoking and no one forced him to continue smoking. Yes, nicotine is addictive, but many people quit smoking every day, so there is no reason the man could not have done it too. And smoking's health risks have been well known and well advertised for a long time now. I can only imagine the ear-to-ear grins the lawyers for this woman had. Leeches!

I know, right. When I first read this I'm this has got to be a world record for punitive damages by a long shot. And, what fucking pool of 12 people could be so fucking stupid to award such a large amount.. I agree w/ the family guy that a few million is more acceptable but this is larger than some class action lawsuits.

I think the Jury was likely trying to stick it to a large corporation by awarding such a large amount of punitive damages.

The case has been dragging on for years and I am sure that RJR has made several offers to settle but the plaintiff probably has unrealistic expectations of a Jury outcome and the Jury likely did not understand the law.

[Cicero2.0]

Wow. I would love to see this case dismissed with prejudice on appeal. These frivolous lawsuits and ridiculous awards cost all of us money. As a former heavy smoker I was well aware of the addictiveness and the risks I was choosing. 

[gmx95]

I wonder how much she would get in the end? And what's next? Everyone whose relative died of cancer will sue tobacco companies? They will go bankrupt and who is going to produce sigarettes? This whole story is bizarre: shouldn't the person be at least to some degree responsible for his/her actions and not just bad tobacco company?

 

[DrG]

The American justice system at its finest.  Those idiot jurors can't conceptualize how much 23 billion dollars is.  They basically gave a small county to the woman.

Here's miss, we now declare you Queen of Fantasy Land.

[bryant.coleman]

It can't get anymore ridiculous than this. I don't smoke and I've never even tried smoking. And I have never heard anyone forcing someone else to smoke. If people chose to smoke despite noticing the warning labels on the cigarette packs, then they themselves should be held accountable for the side-effects, not the cigarette company.

[LostDutchman]

Completely absurd jury verdict

(CNN) -- A Florida jury awarded a widow $23.6 billion in punitive damages in her lawsuit against tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, her lawyer said.

Cynthia Robinson claimed that smoking killed her husband, Michael Johnson, in 1996. She argued R.J. Reynolds was negligent in not informing him that nicotine is addictive and smoking can cause lung cancer. Johnson started smoking when he was 13 and died of lung cancer when he was 36.

The jury award Friday evening is "courageous," said Robinson's lawyer, Christopher Chestnut.
"If anyone saw the documents that this jury saw, I believe that person would have awarded a similar or greater verdict amount," he said.

More absurdity and video footage...http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/19/us/florida-tobacco-verdict/index.html

Sorry but nobody is worth $23.6 Billion and even if it was millions it would be pushing it.

Good!

It is long past time that the tobacco companies were taken to task!

I say this as a smoker.

[Ron~Popeil]

It can't get anymore ridiculous than this. I don't smoke and I've never even tried smoking. And I have never heard anyone forcing someone else to smoke. If people chose to smoke despite noticing the warning labels on the cigarette packs, then they themselves should be held accountable for the side-effects, not the cigarette company.

There is a really dangerous slippery slope here as well. If your loved one is killed in a car accident why not go after the auto manufacturer as well? Should fat people sue the large food manufacturers? As consumers we have a responsibility to understand the risks of the things we choose to do. This kind of case undermines that in a big way.

[LostDutchman]

It can't get anymore ridiculous than this. I don't smoke and I've never even tried smoking. And I have never heard anyone forcing someone else to smoke. If people chose to smoke despite noticing the warning labels on the cigarette packs, then they themselves should be held accountable for the side-effects, not the cigarette company.

There is a really dangerous slippery slope here as well. If your loved one is killed in a car accident why not go after the auto manufacturer as well? Should fat people sue the large food manufacturers? As consumers we have a responsibility to understand the risks of the things we choose to do. This kind of case undermines that in a big way.

No, it does not undermine or cause any kind of slippery slope.

The tobacco industry is the only one in the USA which produces a product which if used as recommened kills you.

It is also the only industry in the USA which produces a product for human consumption which is not required to list the ingredients.

The toabcco industry has also for years engaged in false and deceptive advertising concerning the safety of its products, starting as far back as the 1930s.

It might interest you to know that the first studies which showed a link between tobacco use and cancer and other diseases were conducted by the Germans prior to a during WWII, so the knowledge is not a new thing.

[bryant.coleman]

Should fat people sue the large food manufacturers?

I have a strong feeling that this is going to happen sometime soon. Until the 1980s, most of the US judges were competitive and knowledgeable. However, recently I am seeing a lot of incompetent ones. Too much interference from the political parties?

[zolace]

She got 16 million in Compensatory damages, and 23 billion in punitive damages. She gets BOTH. Difference between compensatory and punitive is this: compensatory is to compensate you for damages, while punitive is to 'teach them a lesson' and is awarded if the defendant did what he did in a reckless knowing manner.

[noviapriani]

Completely absurd jury verdict

(CNN) -- A Florida jury awarded a widow $23.6 billion in punitive damages in her lawsuit against tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, her lawyer said.

Cynthia Robinson claimed that smoking killed her husband, Michael Johnson, in 1996. She argued R.J. Reynolds was negligent in not informing him that nicotine is addictive and smoking can cause lung cancer. Johnson started smoking when he was 13 and died of lung cancer when he was 36.

The jury award Friday evening is "courageous," said Robinson's lawyer, Christopher Chestnut.
"If anyone saw the documents that this jury saw, I believe that person would have awarded a similar or greater verdict amount," he said.

More absurdity and video footage...http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/19/us/florida-tobacco-verdict/index.html

Sorry but nobody is worth $23.6 Billion and even if it was millions it would be pushing it.

Her husband knew at some point in his life that it was wrong everyone knows that smoking is bad either you figure out by getting self informed or by others. I am in shock that the justice system would allow this... Where the hell did they get the jury did they all agree with that woman to some type of reward if she won the case?! Lol man only in the U.S.A...

[Ron~Popeil]

Completely absurd jury verdict

(CNN) -- A Florida jury awarded a widow $23.6 billion in punitive damages in her lawsuit against tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, her lawyer said.

Cynthia Robinson claimed that smoking killed her husband, Michael Johnson, in 1996. She argued R.J. Reynolds was negligent in not informing him that nicotine is addictive and smoking can cause lung cancer. Johnson started smoking when he was 13 and died of lung cancer when he was 36.

The jury award Friday evening is "courageous," said Robinson's lawyer, Christopher Chestnut.
"If anyone saw the documents that this jury saw, I believe that person would have awarded a similar or greater verdict amount," he said.

More absurdity and video footage...http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/19/us/florida-tobacco-verdict/index.html

Sorry but nobody is worth $23.6 Billion and even if it was millions it would be pushing it.

Her husband knew at some point in his life that it was wrong everyone knows that smoking is bad either you figure out by getting self informed or by others. I am in shock that the justice system would allow this... Where the hell did they get the jury did they all agree with that woman to some type of reward if she won the case?! Lol man only in the U.S.A...

We don't really believe in personal responsibility in the US any more. We expect government to protect us from our own poor choices and then complain when our nanny state gets out of control. That is why the concept of being your own bank with bit coin and being responsible for your own outcomes scares most people. 

[onlyu]

Completely absurd jury verdict

(CNN) -- A Florida jury awarded a widow $23.6 billion in punitive damages in her lawsuit against tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, her lawyer said.

Cynthia Robinson claimed that smoking killed her husband, Michael Johnson, in 1996. She argued R.J. Reynolds was negligent in not informing him that nicotine is addictive and smoking can cause lung cancer. Johnson started smoking when he was 13 and died of lung cancer when he was 36.

The jury award Friday evening is "courageous," said Robinson's lawyer, Christopher Chestnut.
"If anyone saw the documents that this jury saw, I believe that person would have awarded a similar or greater verdict amount," he said.

More absurdity and video footage...http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/19/us/florida-tobacco-verdict/index.html

Sorry but nobody is worth $23.6 Billion and even if it was millions it would be pushing it.

Her husband knew at some point in his life that it was wrong everyone knows that smoking is bad either you figure out by getting self informed or by others. I am in shock that the justice system would allow this... Where the hell did they get the jury did they all agree with that woman to some type of reward if she won the case?! Lol man only in the U.S.A...

We don't really believe in personal responsibility in the US any more. We expect government to protect us from our own poor choices and then complain when our nanny state gets out of control. That is why the concept of being your own bank with bit coin and being responsible for your own outcomes scares most people.  

Right.

All actions have risk associated with it. No one put a gun at smoker head and force them to smoke. And they should do their homework on health risk associated with masturbating smoking.

[MultiDice]

The case is definitely not over, but the jury decision is ridiculous.

[Rooothlespredators]

It can't get anymore ridiculous than this. I don't smoke and I've never even tried smoking. And I have never heard anyone forcing someone else to smoke. If people chose to smoke despite noticing the warning labels on the cigarette packs, then they themselves should be held accountable for the side-effects, not the cigarette company.

There is a really dangerous slippery slope here as well. If your loved one is killed in a car accident why not go after the auto manufacturer as well? Should fat people sue the large food manufacturers? As consumers we have a responsibility to understand the risks of the things we choose to do. This kind of case undermines that in a big way.

No, it does not undermine or cause any kind of slippery slope.

The tobacco industry is the only one in the USA which produces a product which if used as recommened kills you.

It is also the only industry in the USA which produces a product for human consumption which is not required to list the ingredients.

The toabcco industry has also for years engaged in false and deceptive advertising concerning the safety of its products, starting as far back as the 1930s.

It might interest you to know that the first studies which showed a link between tobacco use and cancer and other diseases were conducted by the Germans prior to a during WWII, so the knowledge is not a new thing.

right but why are you telling us what happened to the industry in the 1930s? it's now 2014 and  every cigarette package sold in America has a surgeons general warning telling people who want to smoke that it can kill you. This is what happens with society when one side is more popular they have all the power and do everything they possibly can to make money at the expense of others and then when things begin to change the entire population starts up with all their moral outrage. WE WONNNNNN!. Kids aren't targetted by cigarette ads any more. Most laws don't allow you to smoke in doors except in casinos. that's probably going to change where no one can smoke in public places. All cigs are labeled that they will cause cancer. I am not a smoker and I find the practice disgusting yet I find it hilarious that people still don't realize they won and things are fine as they are now move on yet now as we speak they're suing a tabacco industry that is slowly dying for billions of dollars in lawsuits lol People are quite the fickle bunch. They've become the oppressors against the people who still smoke and they don't even realize it.

[Brewins]

Get 23.6 billion indenization in the first judgement, then reduce it to some millions in the second and make the convicted even fell happy with the small ammount they will need to pay. Classical strategy.


For me the fair award would be 0.

[Daniel91]

I think that this decision is really ridiculous.
They are a lot controversy about smoking, it's good for health or not but despite this everybody, by free will, made free choice to smoke.
It's not responsible attitude to blame someone else for the results of your own decision.
Of course, if you count on court to give you a lot money (with good lawyer), it's not hard decision to go to the court and try luck.

[TRYpolar]

Completely absurd jury verdict

(CNN) -- A Florida jury awarded a widow $23.6 billion in punitive damages in her lawsuit against tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, her lawyer said.

Cynthia Robinson claimed that smoking killed her husband, Michael Johnson, in 1996. She argued R.J. Reynolds was negligent in not informing him that nicotine is addictive and smoking can cause lung cancer. Johnson started smoking when he was 13 and died of lung cancer when he was 36.

The jury award Friday evening is "courageous," said Robinson's lawyer, Christopher Chestnut.
"If anyone saw the documents that this jury saw, I believe that person would have awarded a similar or greater verdict amount," he said.

More absurdity and video footage...http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/19/us/florida-tobacco-verdict/index.html

Sorry but nobody is worth $23.6 Billion and even if it was millions it would be pushing it.

Her husband knew at some point in his life that it was wrong everyone knows that smoking is bad either you figure out by getting self informed or by others. I am in shock that the justice system would allow this... Where the hell did they get the jury did they all agree with that woman to some type of reward if she won the case?! Lol man only in the U.S.A...

We don't really believe in personal responsibility in the US any more. We expect government to protect us from our own poor choices and then complain when our nanny state gets out of control. That is why the concept of being your own bank with bit coin and being responsible for your own outcomes scares most people. 

This is very much correct. However I think the plaintiff is just trying to stretch out the case as long as possible to get the largest possible settlement from the cig company.