18.3 Million in Punitive Damages Awarded to Smoker’s Daughter

Jodie Bullock, the daughter of long time smoker Betty Bullock, won $13.8 million dollars in an LA court after a 9-3 vote on a wrongful death lawsuit against cigarette maker Philip Morris USA.  The suit was originally filed by her mother, Betty, who began smoking Marlboro’s at the age of 17, and later, Benson and Hedges, both manufactured by Philip Morris.  Betty died of cancer in February 2003 and Jodie became the plaintiff in the case.

Betty  filed against Philip Morris in April of 2001 under product liability and fraud related civil laws.  In 2002, a  Los Angeles jury initially awarded Bullock $28 billion, but a judge later lowered it to $28 million.  Philip Morris objected to the ruling saying the $28 million dollar award was excessive.  In 2008, a 2nd district appellate court judge agreed and reversed the jury’s decision, calling for a new trial.  This however did not  affect the original ruling to pay Bullock $750, 000 in damages and $100,000 for pain and suffering which will be paid along with the $13.8 million dollar sum.

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