Court Will Review Punitive Damage Case for Third Time

The Supreme Court will review a $79.5 million punitive damages award against Philip Morris USA in a suit brought by the widow of a smoker who died of cancer in 1997.  With interest, the award has grown to about $145 million.  Philip Morris contends the Oregon state court refused to apply the Supreme Court’s most recent ruling which was a clear victory for the tobacco company.  The new appeal, Philip Morris USA v. Williams (07-1216), poses significant constitutional issues regarding the Court’s authority to have its ruling applied and a state court’s authority to manage its own state procedural rules.  For more on this issue, click here.--Counseller/nc