Jury Verdict
Smoker wins $8 million verdict
An attorney for a Connecticut smoker says his client has won $8 million in a lawsuit against a tobacco company, the first such jury verdict in New England.
David Golub, attorney for Barbara Izzarelli of Norwich, said Thursday a federal jury in Bridgeport made the award late Wednesday against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. He said a judge will decide additional punitive damages next month which could bring the award to $24 million.
Izzarelli developed larynx cancer after smoking for more than 25 years.
Golub said tobacco companies have downplayed the significance of verdicts against them in recent years in Florida as an aberration, but the verdict in Connecticut shows tobacco firms will be held liable around the country.
David Howard, spokesman for R.J. Reynolds, said the company was disappointed and plans to appeal.
(Published by The Herald Tribune – May 27, 2010)