Marlboro’s $20 Million Award to Smoker Stands in Massachusetts

Massachusetts’ highest court signed off on a $20 million damages award to a smoker, declining to disrupt decades of precedent that plaintiffs in the state receive a pre-and post-judgment interest rate of 12% for tort cases.

The ruling is a victory for tort plaintiffs, who often have to take out loans to cover litigation costs while their lawsuits are pending. The 12% interest rate more than doubled a $9 million jury award against Altria Group subsidiary Philip Morris USA.

The case stems from a smoker who claimed she was misled that Altria’s Marlboro Light cigarettes are healthier than regular ones. ...