R.J. Reynolds Ordered to Pay Damages in Smoker's Case October 16, 2000
News Summary
A jury has ruled that R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. must pay $200,000 in damages in the case of a Florida woman who died of lung cancer after more than 40 years of smoking, the Associated Press reported Oct. 13.The six-member jury ruled that R.J. Reynolds was negligent; however, jurors did not find the company guilty of conspiring to defraud customers.
The case was brought by Bob Jones, 70, on behalf of his wife Suzanne, who died in 1995 after smoking a pack a day for more than four decades. She continued to smoke after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
The jury awarded $141,000 for Mrs. Jones' medical and funeral expenses and $59,000 to compensate Mr. Jones for his loss.
R.J. Reynolds said it would appeal the damages verdict.
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