Thorpe v. R.J. Reynolds

Summary

In this tobacco trial, Richard Thorpe developed fatal lung cancer after smoking multiple packs of cigarettes a day for four decades. Thorpe's family sues R.J. Reynolds, claiming Reynolds produced and sold dangerous cigarettes.

Attorneys for Thorpe's family present evidence that they claim shows how Reynolds intentionally altered cigarette design to make them as addictive as possible.

Reynolds argues that Thorpe was never fully committed to quitting cigarettes. This, the company claims, is shown as Thorpe rarely attempted to quit during his 40 years of smoking, and even during the few periods where he tried to, he never threw away all of his cigarettes.

Outcome

Verdict for the defense on strict liability and fraud claims. Verdict for the plaintiff on the negligence claim.

Total compensatory damages: $1.6 million.

Apportionment of fault:

Richard Thorpe (attributable to plaintiff): 50%
R.J. Reynolds: 50%