A trial team from the international law firm Dechert LLP obtained a favorable verdict for Philip Morris USA, Inc. as a St. Louis jury found that ordinary cigarettes are not negligently designed or defective and that Philip Morris USA, Inc. and other tobacco companies were not liable for costs incurred by Missouri hospitals for treating smokers.

The case, City of St. Louis v. American Tobacco, had been filed in 1998 by plaintiffs representing 37 health institutions across Missouri and sought more than $455 million in compensatory damages in addition to punitive damages from six tobacco companies for services provided to low-income and non-paying patients being treated for tobacco-related illnesses.

Dechert partner Diane P. Sullivan served as first trial chair for Philip Morris USA, Inc. with assistance from partner John J. Sullivan and associates Allison M. Brown, Erin M. Carter, Jaimee B. Farrer, Christine M. Fasano, Allison M. Rovner, Michael J. Salimbene and Adam S. Tolin.

About Dechert’s Mass Torts and Product Liability Practice

Dechert is a leader in product liability and mass torts defense, handling every aspect of today’s complex cases–from strategy, analysis and planning to trial and appeal–for companies in the pharmaceutical, medical device, consumer product, chemical and other industries. Law360 recently named us one of the top Product Liability Defense Firms of the Year, and in 2010 we earned the Chambers USA “Award for Excellence” as the top product liability practice in the country for the second consecutive year.