Buonomo v. RJ Reynolds

VERDICT

Trial
04/30/10 – 05/20/10

Summary

Engle-progeny tobacco products liability jury trial.

Matthew Buonomo was a lifetime three-pack-per-day cigarette smoker.

According to the plaintiff, Matthew was addicted to smoking and died of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease emphysema.

According to the defense, Matthew smoked because he wanted to, not because he was addicted, and he died of congestive heart failure.

The jury awarded approximately over $5M in compensatory damages plus $25M in punitive damages.

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Outcome

Fault: 77.5%- RJ Reynolds, 22.5%- Plaintiff
Economic damages: 405,000
Past Non-Economic Damages: 2,830,000
Future Non-Economic Damages: 2,000,000
Punitive: 25,000,000

Case Information
Attorneys
Witnesses
Plaintiff
Defense
Verdict
$30,235,000
Judge
Jeffrey Streitfeld
Jurisdiction
17th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Court
Judicial Complex
Case Number
CACE08019612
Industry
Tobacco
Practice Area
Tobacco, Tort Law, Toxic Torts, Products Liability
Plaintiff
Buonomo, Matthew
Defense
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
Expert Witnesses
Lay Witnesses

Sessions

AM Session
Other
1 Chapters
DescriptionAttorneyWitnessPresence
00:00:02General Case Activities
APR
30
MAY
5
MAY
6
MAY
10
MAY
11
MAY
12
MAY
13
MAY
14
MAY
17
MAY
18
MAY
19
PM Session
Verdict - Damages
2 Chapters
MAY
20

Recording Disclaimer: This proceeding was recorded in full.

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