An attorney for a Norwich smoker says his client has won $8 million in a lawsuit against a tobacco company, the first such jury verdict in New England, The Associated Press reports.
David Golub, Stamford 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.
