Jury Awards $35M Damages To Florida Smoker
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BARTOW (CBSMiami/AP) – A former smoker from Polk County - who underwent two lung transplants - was awarded $35 million in damages.
Though the jury sided with 61-year-old Richard Boatright on Wednesday, Philip Morris USA and the Liggett Group tobacco companies will probably appeal.
Attorney Sheldon Schlesinger says Boatright started smoking at age 12 and liked the cowboy used in Marlboro ads.
The case is one of thousands filed in Florida after the state Supreme Court in 2006 tossed out a $145 billion class action verdict.
That ruling said smokers or families need only individually prove addiction and that smoking caused their illnesses or deaths. It's taken as given that the companies sold a defective and dangerous product and hid smoking risks.
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