EX-SMOKER IS AWARDED $50 MILLION.Byline: Kim Curtis Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. A jury awarded a former three-pack-a-day smoker $50 million in punitive damages Monetary compensation awarded to an injured party that goes beyond that which is necessary to compensate the individual for losses and that is intended to punish the wrongdoer. Wednesday in her lawsuit against a tobacco company, bringing the total award to $51.5 million. A day earlier, the jury ordered Philip Morris Cos. to pay $1.5 million in compensatory damages A sum of money awarded in a civil action by a court to indemnify a person for the particular loss, detriment, or injury suffered as a result of the unlawful conduct of another. to Patricia Henley to cover medical expenses, pain and suffering. ``I feel wonderful,'' said Henley, who pledged to donate any money she receives to educate youngsters about the dangers of smoking. ``This is a great day for the children.'' Henley, 52, of Los Angeles, was diagnosed last year with inoperable inoperable /in·op·er·a·ble/ (in-op´er-ah-b'l) not susceptible to treatment by surgery. in·op·er·a·ble adj. Unsuitable for a surgical procedure. lung cancer lung cancer, cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States in both men and women. Like other cancers, lung cancer occurs after repeated insults to the genetic material of the cell. . She alleged the tobacco company hooked her on cigarettes when she was 15 and misled her about the dangers. Her cancer is in remission after chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Before jurors deliberated for four hours Wednesday, Henley's attorney told them that punitive damages was the only way to get the attention of a $3.5 billion company. Madelyn Chaber asked the jury to award her client $15 million in punitive damages. William Ohlemeyer, who represents the tobacco company, told the jury the tobacco company has been punished enough. ``There is nothing you can do now in this lawsuit that sends a clearer message,'' he said. Before the punitive verdict was announced, Philip Morris stock fell 8.7 percent Wednesday as the most active issue on the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. , dropping $3.9375 to close at $41.4375 a share. The case is California's first since the repeal of a 1987 state law that banned such lawsuits. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Patricia Henley Cancer in remission |
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