Philip Morris Gets Widower’s Attorneys’ Fees Trimmed on Appeal

Philip Morris USA Inc. is entitled to get a portion of an opponent’s $2.5 million attorneys’ fee award in a smoking case subtracted to reflect fees already paid by its co-defendant, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., a Florida appeals court ruled.

Allowing a double recovery would go against a fee statute’s requirement of “reasonable” fees, a divided panel of the Florida District Court of Appeal, Fourth District, said Wednesday.

The case will go back to the trial court for a new fee-and-costs determination.

Robert A. Gore Sr. sued Philip Morris and Reynolds following the allegedly smoking-related death of his wife, ...