R.J. Reynolds wins second complete defense verdict in Massachusetts wrongful death lawsuit

Client(s) R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

On December 20, 2019, following three weeks of trial, a jury in state court in Boston, Massachusetts returned a complete defense verdict in favor of Jones Day client, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, in a wrongful death case.

The plaintiff asserted that Reynolds' cigarettes were defectively designed, negligently distributed, and that Reynolds conspired with other tobacco manufacturers to conceal the health risks and addictive nature of cigarettes. The smoker in the case began smoking at age 13 and died at age 65, two years after his lung cancer diagnosis. He left a spouse and one son, both of whom had individual claims for pain and suffering and loss of companionship and support, as well as claims for punitive damages. After less than four hours of deliberations, the jury rejected each of the plaintiff's claims. This was the second complete defense verdict in a smoking and health trial against R.J. Reynolds in Massachusetts.

Richard Main v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, No. 1684CV03883 (Super. Ct. Suffolk Cty., Mass.)