The Palm Beach Post ran an article announcing that a 75-year-old Boca Raton widow won $3.8 million on Friday after a jury found two tobacco companies responsible for her husband’s death.
Kathleen Gafney Hanners filed suit on her husband, Frank Gafney’s behalf after he died in 1995 at the age of 59 from lung cancer. Both Lorillard Tobacco Co. and R.J. Reynolds were named as Defendants in the lawsuit. The trial lasted a month, and happens to be the 8th tobacco case in Palm Beach County all stemming from the Engle Class Action. We post last month a blog about a Hernando County man who was also in the closing stages of a Big Tobacco case, which ended up after six hours of deliberation with a $12.5 million verdict for the past smoker.
The Palm Beach Post has estimated that “of the roughly 100 cases [from the Engle class action] that have gone to trial statewide, about three-fourths have been won by smokers or their survivors. Tobacco companies have appealed every unfavorable verdict.” The new wave of tobacco litigation stemming from the Engle class action has led to “at least $360 million in awarded damages.”
If you or a love one has suffered from a tobacco related health disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) or even lung cancer, please contact us to discuss your potential claim.
Wooten Kimbrough, P.A. Orlando Personal Injury Attorneys
