Villanueva v. R.J. Reynolds

VERDICT

Trial
09/22/22 – 10/07/22

Summary

In this Engle-progeny case, Omar Villanueva suffered from fatal lung cancer after smoking cigarettes for years. Villanueva immigrated to the United States from Cuba when he was 37, and died from cancer in 1994. Villanueva's family attributes this cancer to his addiction to cigarettes produced by R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris.

Villanueva's family claims he was addicted to cigarettes only after he arrived in the United States. As Philip Morris and Reynolds brands were not sold in Cuba, they assert that there is a lack of evidence showing Villanueva's smoking habits before he immigrated. Even while Villanueva was suffering from cancer, they argue his addiction was so strong that he continued smoking the same cigarettes that caused his cancer.

Representatives for defendants assert that Villanueva had been smoking cigarettes for 25 years in Cuba before he arrived in the States, with any addiction stemming from Cuban brands. And, they argue that every pack that he smoked in the United States bore a warning of the dangers of smoking.

Outcome

Verdict for defendant.

Case Information
Attorneys
Witnesses
Plaintiff
Defense
Judge
Antonio Arzola
Jurisdiction
11th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Court
Dade County Courthouse
Case Number
2007-CA046361
Industry
Tobacco
Practice Area
Tobacco
Plaintiff
Villanueva, Gladys
Defense
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
Defense
Philip Morris Tobacco Co
Expert Witnesses
Lay Witnesses

Sessions

AM Session
Openings
3 Chapters
SEP
22
SEP
23
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
3 Chapters
SEP
27
SEP
30
OCT
3
OCT
4
PM Session
Other
2 Chapters
OCT
6
OCT
7

Recording Disclaimer: This proceeding was recorded in full.

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