Posted by TotalInjury.com Staff Writer | Posted in The Personal Injury Courtroom
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Monday from Phillip Morris and lawyers for Jesse Williams’ widow, Mayola Williams who was awarded $79.5 million in punitive damages against the tobacco company. The jury originally found Phillip Morris guilty of fraud and negligence for Mr. William’s lung cancer.
At the Supreme Court hearing, Ted Boutros argued for the tobacco company, challenging the punitive damages as arbitrary and not allowed by the constitution. He also stated that this award is not fair to future plaintiffs suing Philip Morris.
The lawyer for the Williams family, Bob Peck argues that no other plaintiffs have pursued suits against Phillip Morris since the verdict in 1999 and that a punitive award is intended to deter similar acts of misconduct not necessarily provide satisfaction to the individual plaintiff.
The Supreme Court is expected to make its ruling sometime in July of 2007.
I think there needs to be a more responsible and situational decision on punitive damages. I think corporate is about money and therefore hitting them in their wallet is necessary. I also think punitive damages limits should be considered when the plaintiff is an everyday Joe, and therefore their personal worth should be considered when deciding punitive damages.