Philip Morris USA was found liable for USD 17.2 million (EUR 14.9 million) in damages by a federal court jury in the first Engle-progeny decision this year, said the law firm representing the plaintiff.

Donna Brown lost both her legs to peripheral vascular disease attributed to her lifelong cigarette habit, according to the law firm Motley Rice. Damages to be paid by the Altria subsidiary include compensatory and punitive awards.
Engle progeny cases stem from Engle V. Ligget Group, a class-action that was dismissed by a Florida court with the provision that smokers could use findings from that case to pursue individual damage suits against cigarette companies. The latest award is one of thousands of suits filed against tobacco companies. The case is Donna Brown v. Philip Morris USA et al, United States District Court Middle District of Florida Jacksonville Division, No. 3:09-CV-10687-WGY-HTS.