Wife of cancer victim awarded $23.6bn

[PHmember]

How on earth does a jury reach a figure of over $23 BILLION??

'A US court has ordered the country's second largest cigarette company to pay $23.6 billion (£13.8bn) to the wife of a smoker who died of lung cancer.'

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-28389273

[Shaolin]

BIANCO said:

Its stupid, if the payout stated that 99% of it would need to be given to cancer research, hospitals and others affected by smoking then it may be acceptable.

My thoughts too, I can see the point of punitive damages, but for one amongst many to get the whole lot is ridiculous. I hope it becomes tempered rather more by the time it ends.

[Steve H]

WOW!

Downside of allowing a jury to decide a civil case and set damages.

[valiant]

I'll be betting an appeal is lodged pronto with a further appeal if that fails. These things can take years to finally settle where you end up with £6.32.

[ChocolateFrog]

Surely this amount just means the tabacco company will win the a peak.

Whereas a realistic figure in the millions might have stood a chance of standing up to scrutiny.

[mike-r]

valiant said:

I'll be betting an appeal is lodged pronto with a further appeal if that fails. These things can take years to finally settle where you end up with £6.32.

Then if you lose you can sue the bookmakers for 50 bajillion quid for losing your money, if you claim you weren't aware of the risks.

[Captain Muppet]

Surely a fairer alternative would be to furnish the litigious lady with a new and better husband?

[Waynester]

This figure will never be paid in reality though, surely? The tobacco company will appeal, as these companies do.

This reminds me of their criminal sentencing too.. e.g. 380 years in jail..etc

Pointless.

[1878]

Horrible way to lose your husband but if she gets the full amount it would make her the 15th richest person in the US which hardly seems proportionate
http://www.forbes.com/forbes-400/#page:2_sort:0_di...

[CanAm]

Don't know how old this man was, but 50 years ago cigarettes were commonly referred to as "cancer sticks", so it's hard to say he didn't know the risks.