The High Court has banned a New South Wales judge from presiding over future hearings involving British American Tobacco, on grounds of bias. When Justice Jim Curtis presided over a case involving British American Tobacco (BAT) and Brambles in 2006, he found the tobacco giant had secretly destroyed documents that linked its products to lung cancer. After that finding, British American Tobacco wanted Judge Curtis to disqualify himself from hearin ... Jump to full article >>

Massachusetts’ high court said today that cigarette maker Philip Morris USA may have to pay for diagnostic chest exams so smokers can get early warning they have developed lung cancer. In a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Judicial Court said that Massachusetts law has an antiquated definition of negligence that must be updated. Historically, plaintiffs had to show explicit injury — such as a broken leg — before the other party ca ... Jump to full article >>