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City Officials Consider Banning Smoking In Public Parks

Posted: Friday, 20 November 2009 7:02AM

Philip Morris Ordered To Pay $300 Million To Smoker

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A Florida jury on Thursday ordered cigarette maker Philip Morris USA to pay $300 million in damages to a 61-year-old ex-smoker named Cindy Naugle who is wheelchair-bound by emphysema.

The Broward Circuit Court jury assessed $56.6 million in past and future medical expenses against the company, part of Altria Group Inc, as well as $244 million in punitive damages.

The verdict is the largest of the so-called Engle progeny cases that have been tried so far, both sides said.

Philip Morris will seek further review of the verdict because of "numerous erroneous rulings by the trial judge," Philip Morris spokesman Murray Garnick said in a statement.

"We believe that the punitive damages award is grossly excessive and a clear violation of constitutional and state law," Garnick said.

Naugle's lawsuit was among about 8,000 cases filed in the wake of a 2006 Florida Supreme Court decision that tossed out a massive class action against the tobacco companies. The case, known as Engle v. RJ Reynolds, resulted in the largest verdict in U.S. history at trial -- $145 billion.

The Florida high court ruling, which decertified the class of about 700,000 smokers, allowed some to file individual complaints.

The case is Naugle v. Philip Morris USA.

Another Big Snowstorm Forecast For East Coast

Another big winter storm was forecast on Monday for the U.S. mid-Atlantic still struggling to dig out from a blizzard.

U.S. Missionary In Haiti Says Trusts God To Free Her

A Haitian judge made no decision at a hearing on Monday whether to free or prosecute 10 U.S. missionaries accused of kidnapping children.

Workers Accounted For At Connecticut Blast

All workers at the Connecticut power plant construction site rocked by a massive explosion on Sunday have been accounted for.

For Obese, Vaccine Needle Size Matters

Our ever-expanding waistlines may have outgrown the doctor's needle, researchers say, in what could be another casualty of the obesity epidemic.

Report: Job Market Gauge Rises For 5th Month

The U.S. job market improved in January for the fifth consecutive month, pointing to possible job growth in the first quarter.

Toyota Readies Global Prius Recall

Japanese carmaker Toyota said it was preparing a global recall of its new Prius model.

Safety Critic Says Toyota Has Ducked Problem

A consumer advocate said on Sunday that Toyota had skirted a full investigation of unintended acceleration in its vehicles and faced a risk of growing recalls.

At Least 5 Dead In Connecticut Power Plant Blast

At least five people were killed and 12 injured on Sunday when a massive explosion rocked a large gas-fired power plant being built in Connecticut.

Blizzard Paralyzes Mid-Atlantic; Two Killed

A blizzard dumped two feet of snow across much of the U.S. mid-Atlantic on Saturday, paralyzing travel and leaving tens of thousands without power.

Fewer Homeowners See Home Values Falling

Fewer U.S. homeowners expect the value of their homes to decline in the year ahead, but they also believe gains are unlikely.

Shuttle Set For Sunday Launch Amid Space Plan Shift

NASA's space shuttle Endeavour prepared to blast off on Sunday on one of the last remaining shuttle missions.

Study: Teens Lose Interest In Blogging

Blogging by teenagers and young adults has dropped by half over the past three years as they turn instead to texting and social networking sites.

Airport Scanner Radiation Risk Low, Agencies Say

New full-body airport security scanners using X-rays generate much lower doses than normal background radiation.

National Gross Domestic Product Rises Higher Than Expected

BURBANK, CA - JANUARY 26: Customers buy goods at a Home Depot home improvement store on January 29, 2010 in Burbank, California. The Commerce Department today reports better-than-expected U.S. economic growth with the fourth-quarter rise of the gross dom

U.S., Canada Reach Deal In "Buy American" Spat

The United States and Canada have reached a tentative deal on "Buy American" provisions.

Toyota Surpasses Ford For Number Two Position In Auto Sales

SAN BRUNO, CA - JANUARY 26: Two men look at brand new Toyota Corollas on display at Melody Toyota January 26, 2004 in San Bruno, California. Toyota Motor Corp. surpassed Ford Motor Co. of the United States as the world's No. 2 automaker, according to gl

Toyota Dealers Court Customers To Soften Recall

Toyota dealers across the United States began repairs of defective gas pedals on Thursday.

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