Bruce Coolidge v. Philip Morris, U.S.A.
Published: Sep. 3, 2005 | Result Date: Apr. 21, 2005 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: RIC361063 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
Riverside Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Martin Goldberg
(technical)
Louis Kyriakoudes
(technical)
Linda Hyder-Ferry
(technical)
Dean Lim
(medical)
Alan Feingold
(medical)
Neil Grunberg
(technical)
Paul Slovic
(technical)
Defendant
Alberto Marchevsky
(medical)
Allen Kassman
(technical)
Robert L. Shuman M.D.
(medical)
Paul Harvey
(technical)
Thompson Abrams
(medical)
Shoba Sreenivasan
(technical)
Facts
Plaintiff Bruce Coolidge, a 51-year-old truck driver, began smoking Marlboro cigarettes when he was 12 years
old. On average, he smoked two packs per day. In 2000, the plaintiff was diagnosed with a terminal case of
small cell lung cancer.
Damages
The plaintiff sought $1.483 million in economic damages and non-economic damages of 10 times that amount.
Injuries
The plaintiff sought $1.483 million in economic damages and non-economic damages of 10 times that amount.
Result
The jury found that the plaintiff did not reasonably suspect he suffered appreciable harm more than one year before he filed the lawsuit and therefore his suit was not time-barred. The jury found that Philip Morris cigarettes were not a substantial cause of the plaintiff's lung cancer. The Court granted the defendantÆs summary adjudication/nonsuit motions as to fraud, negligence, strict liability, and breach of warranty. A settlement was reached whereby the parties waived their rights to appeal.
Deliberation
two hours
Poll
12-0
Length
10 weeks
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
jeremy@reprintpros.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390