PRODUCTS LIABILITY

MIAMI-DADE CIRCUIT COURT

A jury awarded $2.4 million to the widow of a smoker who died from lung cancer.

In October 1992, James Chadwell, then 30, was diagnosed with a form of lung cancer. He underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation but died a year later. His wife, Brenda Chadwell, claimed her husband developed lung cancer from smoking cigarettes and he became addicted after he started smoking at age 11. She alleged ads by Philip Morris USA Inc. made smoking look cool to teenagers and her husband switched to Marlboro Lights in 1988 when ads promoted the brand as a safer cigarette.

Defense counsel claimed James Chadwell was not addicted and chose to continue smoking. Counsel also denied the decedent's cancer was related to smoking.

Case: Estate of Chadwell v. Philip Morris USA

Case No.: 2010-017931-CA-01

Plaintiffs attorneys: Christopher A. Kanne, Engstrom, Lipscomb & Lack, Los Angeles; and William J. Wichmann, Law Offices of William J. Wichmann, Fort Lauderdale

Defense attorneys: Brian A. Jackson, Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Kansas City, Missouri; and Deborah D. Kuchler, Kuchler Polk Weiner, New Orleans