Amaral v. Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds

VERDICT

Trial
02/05/25 – 03/12/25

Summary

In this tobacco litigation, plaintiff, the representative of a deceased smoker's estate, seeks to recover damages for the smoker's lung cancer death. Plaintiff contends that defendant tobacco companies cigarettes were defectively designed, in that their cigarettes could have been made safer and non-addictive, and that defendants concealed the dangers of their cigarettes, fueling the smoker's addiction to nicotine and leading to his cancer.

The defense contends their cigarettes were not defectively designed and that the smoker was aware of the dangers of cigarettes but failed to stop smoking in time to avoid his disease.

Outcome

Verdict for plaintiff.
Total damages: $40.58 million
Including $4.08 million in compensatory damages and $36.5 million in punitive damages.

Case Information
Attorneys
Witnesses
Plaintiff
Defense
Verdict
$40,577,884
Judge
Michael Pinneault
Jurisdiction
Superior Court of Massachusetts, Middlesex County
Court
Middlesex County Superior Court
Case Number
2181CV000062
Industry
Tobacco
Practice Area
Tobacco
Plaintiff
Amaral,
Defense
Philip Morris Tobacco Co
Defense
Cumberland Farms
Defense
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
Expert Witnesses
Lay Witnesses

Sessions

FEB
5
FEB
6
FEB
7
FEB
10
FEB
11
FEB
12
FEB
13
FEB
14
FEB
18
FEB
19
FEB
20
FEB
21
FEB
24
FEB
25
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
2 Chapters
FEB
26
FEB
27
FEB
28
MAR
3
MAR
4
MAR
5
AM Session
Other
2 Chapters
MAR
6
PM Session
Other
2 Chapters
MAR
7
MAR
12

Recording Disclaimer: This proceeding was recorded in full.

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