Gary Paige of Gordon & Doner and Alex Alvarez of Alvarez Law Firm Obtain $46.5 Million in Compensatory and Punitive Damages against R.J. Reynolds in Big Tobacco Lawsuit
Jurors find R.J. Reynolds liable and award Thomas and Bettye Ryan $21.5 million in compensatory and $25 million in punitive damages for smoking-related COPD.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., April 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Gary M. Paige of Gordon & Doner, P.A., along with Alex Alvarez of the Alvarez Law Firm obtained a verdict against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Considered one of the most successful trial teams, Paige and Alvarez have obtained several multi-million dollar verdicts against Big Tobacco, and this marks their ninth victory trying cases together against a tobacco company. This time the Broward County jury returned a verdict for $46.5 million on April 21, 2015.
"It truly was a privilege to represent Tom and Bettye Ryan," said Alex Alvarez. "They are such good people who suffered tremendously as a result of the tobacco industry's nearly 50 year campaign of lies and deceit in putting profits over human lives."
The plaintiff, Tom Ryan began smoking in 1955, at age 13, long before there were any warnings on cigarette packages. Unfortunately, he became heavily addicted to nicotine, smoking up to four packs a day for more than 40 years.
"Tom didn't choose to be addicted to nicotine. He switched to filtered and low tar cigarettes thinking they were safer, and then for years he tried countless times to quit, including trying the patch and Nicorette gum. In 1997, when new prescription medications were approved by the FDA, he immediately received a prescription for Zyban, and along with a lot of prayer, was finally able to succeed," said Gary Paige. "Unfortunately, it was too late. He had developed severe COPD, and can barely walk to his mailbox. He now relies on nearly full time supplemental oxygen to help him breathe."
Paige and Alvarez are both recognized among the National Law Journal's "Top 100 Verdicts of 2014." The honor follows their work in obtaining a $33 million dollar verdict, just last year, in another Big Tobacco case.
Gordon & Doner's aggressive trial attorneys have obtained many successful verdicts. They provide free legal consultations to any person who believes they may have a personal injury claim. For more information, contact Gordon & Doner by calling (855) 722-2552 or by visiting www.fortheinjured.com.
Gordon & Doner
4114 Northlake Blvd.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
(855) 722-2552
Cell: (954) 483-4902 (Gary M. Paige)
The Alvarez Law Firm
Palermo Ave
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
305-444-7675
SOURCE Gordon & Doner; The Alvarez Law Firm
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