Ken Ellis v. RJ Reynolds

VERDICT

Trial
08/27/14 – 09/11/14

Summary

In this Engle progeny suit, plaintiff, the son of Betty Owens, claims that defendant's concealment of the dangers of smoking, combined with their cigarette production process, caused Owens to become addicted to smoking. Plaintiff alleges Owens's 40-plus year smoking habit led to her lung cancer and death.
Defendant claims Owens never wanted to quit smoking and challenges the assertion that her lung cancer was smoking-related.

The jury rendered a verdict for defendant, finding that Owens was either not addicted to cigarettes or that any addiction was not the legal cause of her lung cancer.

Outcome

Verdict for the defense

Case Information
Attorneys
Witnesses
Plaintiff
Defense
Judge
Virginia Norton
Jurisdiction
4th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Court
Duval County Courthouse
Case Number
16-2007-CA-11175
Industry
Tobacco
Practice Area
Tobacco, Tort Law
Plaintiff
Ellis, Ken
Defense
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
Expert Witnesses
Lay Witnesses

Sessions

AUG
27
AUG
28
AUG
29
SEP
2
SEP
3
SEP
4
SEP
5
SEP
8
PM Session
Other
3 Chapters
SEP
9
SEP
10
AM Session
Verdict
3 Chapters
SEP
11

Recording Disclaimer: This proceeding was recorded in full.

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