Louisiana Tobacco Verdict Cut in Half

Brent Adams

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 645

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In 2004, Louisiana jurors held that tobacco manufacturers had conspired to keep the truth about the hazards of tobacco from the Louisiana public. For this conspiracy, the jury set the damages at 591 million dollars.

That verdict has now been cut to less than half by a Louisiana appeals court.

The recovery from the judgment was to be used for smoking cessation programs. The appellate court's decision reduced this recovery to 279 million dollars.

Both sides are claiming victory. The plaintiffs' attorney pointed out that the appellate court reaffirmed the original verdict which found the tobacco companies guilty of intentional fraud.

The tobacco companies boasted that the ruling, for all practical purposes, reduced the award from approximately 1 billion dollars to less than 300 million.

Both sides are on the way to the Louisiana Supreme Court. The plaintiffs will ask for reinstatement of the full 591 million dollar verdict, while the defendants will be asking the Louisiana Supreme Court to overturn the entire verdict against them.