Conn. smoker awarded another $4M in tobacco case

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut smoker who won $8 million against a tobacco company last May in the first such jury award in New England has been awarded another $4 million in punitive damages.

Barbara Izzarelli, a Norwich resident who developed larynx cancer, won a jury award of $8 million against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. after a two-week trial. The jury in Bridgeport left the amount of punitive damages up to the judge.

Judge Stefan Underhill ordered punitive damages of $3.97 million Thursday, bringing Izzarelli's total award to nearly $12 million. The punitive damages will cover attorney fees and other legal costs.

Messages seeking comment were left Friday for the company's attorney and David Howard, spokesman for R.J. Reynolds. Howard said in May the company was disappointed and would appeal.