Smoker wins $8 million verdict

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) – An attorney for a Connecticut smoker
says his client has won $8 million in a lawsuit against a tobacco
company, the first such jury verdict in New England.

David Golub, attorney for Barbara Izzarelli of Norwich, said
Thursday a federal jury in Bridgeport made the award late Wednesday
against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. He said a judge will decide
additional punitive damages next month which could bring the award
to $24 million.

Izzarelli developed larynx cancer after smoking for more than 25
years.

Golub said tobacco companies have downplayed the significance of
verdicts against them in recent years in Florida as an aberration,
but the verdict in Connecticut shows tobacco firms will be held
liable around the country.

R.J. Reynolds spokesman David Howard said the company was
disappointed and plans to appeal.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)