Florida Judge Reduces $300 Million Verdict Against Philip Morris USA to $38.9 Million

TAMPA, Fla.—A Florida trial judge Feb. 24 reduced to $38.9 million a jury’s $300 million compensatory and punitive damages award to a former smoker with debilitating emphysema (In Re Engle progeny case).

In an order on a motion for remittitur filed by defendant Philip Morris USA Inc., Judge Jeffrey E. Streitfeld of the Circuit Court for the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County, said the non-economic damages and punitive components of the award—the largest in an individual Florida tobacco case—were grossly excessive. Streitfeld said the jury was moved by passion for plaintiff Lucinda Naugle and by prejudice at the ...