Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

Supreme Court to Hear $79M Cigarette Verdict for 3rd Time

Justices to decide if Oregon court ignored instruction to limit punitive damages

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 9, 2008 1:04 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Supreme Court today agreed to hear a third appeal of Oregon’s $79.5-million punitive-damage award against Philip Morris. The justices have twice sent the verdict back to Oregon’s high court, part of an effort to limit punitive damages to nine times the size of compensatory damages. This time, the AP reports, they will consider only whether Oregon courts ignored their previous ruling.

With interest, the Oregonian reports, the original 1999 award is now worth roughly $145 million. "The court has previously instructed the Oregon appellate courts to properly apply the constitutional standards to the punitive damage award in this case," said an approving tobacco-company lawyer. "The Oregon courts have not done so, and so the Supreme Court has agreed to review the case once again." 

Attorney Robert S. Peck, right, representing Mayola Williams, widow of Jesse Williams, who died of lung cancer, addresses the Supreme Court in Washington in this Oct. 31, 2006 artist rendering.
Attorney Robert S. Peck, right, representing Mayola Williams, widow of Jesse Williams, who died of lung cancer, addresses the Supreme Court in Washington in this Oct. 31, 2006 artist rendering.   (AP Photo)
Mayola Williams, in wheelchair, widow of Jesse Williams, who died of lung cancer, leaves the Supreme Court in Washington in this Oct. 31, 2006 file photo.
Mayola Williams, in wheelchair, widow of Jesse Williams, who died of lung cancer, leaves the Supreme Court in Washington in this Oct. 31, 2006 file photo.   (AP Photo/Dennis Cook, file)
The Philip Morris Research Center in Richmond, Va., Wednesday, October 24,2007.
The Philip Morris Research Center in Richmond, Va., Wednesday, October 24,2007.   (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
A Marlboro cigarette burns as it sits on a pack of Marlboro cigarettes.
A Marlboro cigarette burns as it sits on a pack of Marlboro cigarettes.   (AP Photo/Mel Evans, file)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Supreme Court Axes Texas Electoral Map

Landmark Texas Sodomy Case Slips Perry's Mind

Texas Executes Mexican After Appeal Rejected

Supreme Court Stays Two Executions

Convicts Win Right to Sue for DNA Testing


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne