Posted On: March 24, 2005, 2:04 am CST

Posted By: Winston

Look, while I for one can appreciate the need for tort reform, this matter really does not have anything to do with same.

The plaintiff hereto was a smoker for over 35 years. When she began smoking she was unaware of the specific harms associated with smoking cigarettes. However, the cigarette manufactures were quite aware of the fatal effects of smoking and went as far as to conceal those harmful and fatal effects.

In this day and age, most if not all, Americans are aware of the harmful effects of smoking due to information laws and the general media. Unfortunately, most of this information was not readily available decades ago. Hence, it is conceivable that the plaintiff in this matter was truly unaware of the specific damage that smoking cigarettes could cause in the long run.

Keep in mind that this matter is not about a run-away jury or the judicial system, this matter concerns a negligent corporation and a system which protects those rich corporations and allow them to continue to prosper.

Blame the victimizer not the victim.

PS. Although I do not like to end of a negative thought, RRR (last comment) is utterly ridiculous for comparing this matter with the McDonald's case.