Lucier v. Philip Morris, Inc.

The Lucier case was a tobacco product liability lawsuit in which the plaintiffs, Laurence and Laurie Lucier of Sacramento, California alleged that Mr. Lucier developed lung cancer as a result of his smoking cigarettes made by R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris Incorporated. The Luciers filed their original complaint on June 2, 2000, and amended their complaint for damages on Nov. 21, 2000. The amended complaint set forth the following nine causes of action against the defendants: (1) negligence; (2) strict liability; (3) false representation; (4) deceit, fraudulent concealment; (5) breach of express warranty; (6) unfair competition/unlawful business practices; (7) negligent false and misleading advertising; (8) intentional false and misleading advertising; and (9) loss of consortium. The causes of action for unfair competition/unlawful business practices, negligent false and misleading advertising, and intentional false and misleading advertising were dismissed.

The trial lasted two months, and on February 7, 2003, after two days of deliveration, a twelve person jury in state court in Sacramento, California issued a verdict finding Philip Morris, Inc. and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company not liable for Mr. Lucier's lung cancer.