Florida Supreme Court
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November 1, 2016
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Phil J. Marotta, etc.
Case Number(s):
SC16-218
Transcript:
Summary:
Broward County
Mr. Marotta sued R.J. Reynolds, accusing the cigarette-maker of liability and negligence in the death of his father, a smoker who died from lung cancer at age 47. The trial court awarded Mr. Marotta and two other survivors $3.48 million in damages. The Fourth District Court of Appeal upheld that ruling but also asked this Court to rule whether
federal law blocks lawsuits in state courts by Florida smokers or their families alleging liability and negligence by tobacco companies.