Judge Cuts Damages Philip Morris Must Pay Smoker
A California judge slashes the award from $28 billion to $28 million.
In a ruling favorable to
Philip Morris
(MO) - Get Altria Group Inc Report
, a judge in California on Wednesday reduced from $28 billion to $28 million the punitive damages awarded to a former smoker,
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The Associated Press
reported.
Superior Court Judge Warren Ettinger in Los Angeles agreed with the jury verdict that the cigarette maker was at least partially responsible for Betty Bullock's cancer. But he said $28 million was "a reasonable sum to be awarded against Philip Morris in these circumstances,"
AP
reported.
