Miami, FL — Tobacco Industry Lawyers on Wednesday appeared before Florida’s 3rd District Court of Appeal to argue against the $145 billion verdict against the tobacco industry, making it the largest damage award in American history. Elliot Scherker, tobacco industry lawyer, said the verdict should be overturned because the trial plan was unconstitutional and the plaintiffs’ attorney used unfair tactics to incite the jury.

Scherker said Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Robert Kaye violated the companies’ right to due process by allowing the jury to award $145 billion in punitive damages before the majority of the class members received trials on their individual claims.

(via BBC News)