USA: TOBACCO: MIAMI COURT AWARDS 145 BILLION DOLLARS (USD) IN PUNITIVE DAMAGES TO SMOKERS.

Record ID: 979937

  • Title: USA: TOBACCO: MIAMI COURT AWARDS 145 BILLION DOLLARS (USD) IN PUNITIVE DAMAGES TO SMOKERS.
  • Date: 15th August 2000
  • Summary: MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (JULY 14, 2000) (U.S. POOL - ACCESS ALL) 1. CU/MV: TWO PLAINTIFFS AWAITING VERDICT/ PLAINTIFF CRYING (2 SHOTS) 0.10 2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) JUDGE ROBERT KAYE SAYING "What is the total amount of punitive damages, if any, you have accessed against the defendant? Philip Morris to pay 36. 28 billion dollars. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco to pay 36. 28 billion dollars. Brown and Williamson, to pay 17. 59 billion dollars and the Lorillard Tobacco Co to pay 16. 25 billion dollars." 0.57 RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES (FILE) (VNR - ACCESS ALL) 4. GV/CU: VARIOUS OF CIGARETTE PRODUCTION (2 SHOTS) 1.06 NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 5. CU.MCU: VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SMOKING (4 SHOTS) 1.23 MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (JULY 14, 2000) (U.S. POOL - ACCESS ALL) 6. MV/SCU: VARIOUS OF JURY (2 SHOTS) 1.38 UNKNOWN LOCATION, UNITED STATES (FILE) (VNR - ACCESS ALL) 7. CU: PHILIP MORRIS LOGO 1.42 MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (JULY 14, 2000) (U.S. POOL - ACCESS ALL) 8. MCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) DAN WEBB, LEAD ATTORNEY FOR PHILIP MORRIS SAYING: "We are disappointed today with the jury's verdict but it was not unexpected in light of how these proceedings have been structured. The deck was truly stacked against us and we understood that. However, we are pleased that there is no practical impact to Philip Morris, my client. Under the court's procedures, the judgment of the verdict cannot become final for decades until after trials of several hundred thousands class members have been completed. It has been estimated that motion could take approximately 75 years if the state of Florida makes the commitment of assigning approximately one hundred full time judges to begin hearing the cases now. 2.36 THURMONT, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES (JULY 14, 2000) (U.S. POOL - ACCESS ALL) 9. GV: WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART 2.41 10. MCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) LOCKHART SAYING: "Without commenting specifically on this particular case, we have always believed the tobacco industry is responsible for the way they have marketed and produced their product." 2.53 MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (JULY 14, 2000) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 11. MCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) PLAINTIFF AFTER THE VERDICT SAYING: "We proved them wrong and they still don't believe it. They don't want to go by the judge's decision or nothing. They haven't paid anybody in 50 years and according to him (Webb), they're not going to pay anybody for the next 75 years. That is ridiculous. I'm hoping the appellate court abides by the judge's decision to award us the money." 3.24 RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES (FILE) (VNR - ACCESS ALL) 12. MV/GV: VARIOUS OF CIGARETTES BEING MANUFACTURED (2 SHOTS) 3.36 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 29th August 2000 13:00
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  • Location: RICHMOND, VIRGINIA/MIAMI, FLORIDA/THURMONT, MARYLAND/NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVAAO7OZUPV1NS15QG9VVOLQDQDK
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  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS - SOURCE TO BE VERIFIED
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