PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Portland jury is reconsidering a damage award against Philip Morris in a suit over low-tar cigarettes that goes back more than a decade.
In 2002, a jury awarded $150 million in punitive damages after finding Philip Morris deceived Michelle Schwarz of Salem into thinking low-tar cigarettes were a healthier alternative.
In appeals, the amount was reduced to $100 million, and then the award was sent back for reconsideration.
The Oregonian reports the case could be another windfall for Oregon's crime victim compensation fund, which reaped millions after the conclusion of a suit a Portland janitor's family filed against Philip Morris.
The fund gets 60 percent of punitive damage awards. Earlier this week, Oregon legislators moved to use some of the money to patch the state budget.
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Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
