Court Awards Smoker $28M in Tobacco Lawsuit

May 24,2016

Tobacco companies could potentially be liable for smokers who get sick, according to the Connecticut Supreme Court’s recent ruling in the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. lawsuit. The decision solidifies a lower court’s ruling, which awarded $28M to Barbara Izzarelli for illness she suffered as a result of 25 years of smoking the company’s Salem Kings cigarettes.

Izzarelli filed the lawsuit in 1999, three years after being diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. She has since lost her voice box and breathes through a tracheotomy hole in her throat.

The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. lawsuit alleged that the company knowingly designed their cigarettes with increased addictive ingredients, which delivered an excessive amount of carcinogens to consumers. Izzarelli’s lawyers produced evidence that the company had manipulated the nicotine by adding ammonia compounds, which increased the addictiveness of the Salem Kings cigarettes.

Izzarelli’s suit is the first of its kind to go to court in Connecticut, and it could pave the way for others injured by harmful cigarettes to have their cases heard.

R.J. Reynolds’ appeal of the decision is pending before the 2nd U.S. Court of Appeals.

“If R.J. Reynolds purposefully manipulated its products to cause increased harm to consumers, they should be held responsible for the injuries that resulted from that decision,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.