The U.S. Supreme Court will review a $79.5 million punitive damages judgment against Marlboro-maker Philip Morris for the third time. The justices have twice struck down the award to the family of a longtime smoker of Marlboros, made by Altria Group Inc.’s Philip Morris USA. To their credit, Oregon courts have repeatedly upheld the judgment. As I understand it, the justices will consider only whether the Oregon Supreme Court in essence ignored the U.S. high court’s ruling, not whether the amount of the judgment is constitutionally permissible. The case will be argued in the fall.

Source: Associated Press

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