Putney v. RJ Reynolds

VERDICT

Trial
04/05/10 – 04/26/10

Summary

Margot Putney, the decedent in this Engle-progeny tobacco trial, died in 1995. According to the plaintiff, and Ms. Putney's treating oncologist, Ms. Putney died from small-cell lung cancer caused by smoking.

According to the defense, Ms. Putney died of thyroid cancer, not lung cancer. The defense argued that Ms. Putney had neither symptoms of lung cancer, nor a mass in her lungs, and the metastasis suggested that the cancer probably started in the thyroid.

The jury awarded compensatory and punitive damages totaling more than $20M.

Visit the CVN Blog for more on Putney v. Reynolds or other tobacco litigation.

Outcome

Verdict to the Plaintiff's:
approx. 85K in medical/funeral costs
15M in compensatory damages
5M in punitive damages

Case Information
Attorneys
Witnesses
Plaintiff
Defense
Verdict
$20,085,000
Judge
Jeffrey Streitfeld
Jurisdiction
17th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Court
Judicial Complex
Case Number
CACE07036668
Industry
Tobacco
Practice Area
Tobacco, Products Liability, Toxic Torts, Tort Law
Plaintiff
Putney, Sharon
Defense
Philip Morris Tobacco Co
Defense
Liggett Group Inc.
Defense
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
Expert Witnesses
Lay Witnesses

Sessions

APR
5
APR
6
APR
7
PM Session
Not in Session
0 Chapters
APR
8
AM Session
Not in Session
0 Chapters
PM Session
Not in Session
0 Chapters
APR
9
APR
12
APR
13
AM Session
Punitive Phase
3 Chapters
APR
14
APR
15
APR
16
APR
19
APR
20
APR
21
APR
22
AM Session
Not in Session
0 Chapters
PM Session
Not in Session
0 Chapters
APR
23
APR
26

Recording Disclaimer: This proceeding was recorded in full.

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