Should There Be a Limit On Punitive Damage Awards in Personal Injury Cases?
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.