Lawyers Seek to Overturn Florida Damages

Lawyers for Philip Morris Cos. and other tobacco companies told a Florida judge they’ll file motions within a week that may seek to overturn the record $145 billion in punitive damages a jury awarded Friday. Judge Robert Kaye, at a hearing Monday morning, said he may schedule arguments next week on whether to enter a final judgment against the cigarette makers in the class-action suit brought on behalf of sick Florida smokers. Attorneys for Philip Morris have said the judge shouldn’t issue a final judgment until the individual claims of hundreds of thousands of class members are heard in court--a process that could take decades. The six jurors deliberated less than five hours Friday.