U.S. Supreme Court Lets Stand Tobacco Firm's $80 Million Punitive Damages..

March 31, 2009 - The Supreme Court dismissed Tuesday, March 3, 2009 an appeal by Altria Group Inc.'s Philip Morris USA over $79.5 million in punitive damages awarded to the widow of a longtime Oregon smoker.

The top court did not decide the merits of the dispute, but in a one-sentence ruling said the appeal was dismissed as "improvidently granted." Philip Morris in its appeal had argued that the Oregon Supreme Court in upholding the award had defied an earlier U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the case.

More: UPDATE 2-U.S. top court dismisses Philip Morris appeal by James Vicini, Reuters, 3/3/2009.

Reference: Supreme Court Lets Stand Tobacco Firm's $80 Million Punitive Damages Reporting by James Vicini, Editing by Gerald E. McCormick), Insurance Journal - Reuters, 3/31/2009.