Date: 02-11-2011

Case Style: Leroy Kirkland v. Reynolds American, Inc. d/b/a Reynolds Tobacco Company

Case Number: 292008CA000673P001TA

Judge: William P. Levens

Court: Circuit Court, Hillsborough County, Florida

Plaintiff's Attorney: Willie Gray, Tricia P. Hoffler, and Maria P. Sperando, Gary Williams Finney Lewis Watson Sperando, P.L., Stewart, Florida

Defendant's Attorney: Stephen Kaczynski, Benjamin N. Hill, Donald N. Watson, Nathaniel S. Hatcher, Geoffrey K. Beach, Jonathan M. Engram, Amanda Pushinsky, Stephen J. Kaczynaki, Keith A. Cloinard, Whitney A. Passmore, Leah Q. Kaufman, Timothy J. Fiorta and Daniel Francis Molony, Jones Day, Cleveland, Ohio

Description: Leroy Kirkland, age 71, sued Reynolds American, Inc. d/b/a R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company on a products liability theory claiming that he developed cancer and emphysema from smoking cigarettes manufactured and sold by Defendant. Plaintiff smoked Pall Malls.

The claims made and defenses asserted are not available.

Outcome: Plaintiff's verdict for $100,000 but found him 90% at fault reducing his compensatory damages to $10,000 and $250,000 in punitive damages.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: Editor's Comments: Willie Gary is a very successful plaintiff personal injury lawyer. Jones Day is one of the largest law firms in the world. Interesting match up. While Gary's firm "won" this case at a loss, it is likely that the tobacco industry has not seen the last of Mr. Gary.