Florida Jury Awards $8,000,000 against Philip Morris USA

A Miami Herald article today by Patrick Danner notes that a Florida jury in the Hess case, part of a long-running series of product liability claims in that state against cigarette manufacturers, and noted on February 13 on this blog, awarded $8,000,000 to the widow and son of Stuart Hess, who died of lung cancer as a result of his smoking addition.  The jury reached its verdict after about nine hours of deliberations over a two day period.  The award includes $5,000,000 in punitive damages.  Philip Morris USA will appeal.

MKS