Bullock

Philip Moms USA, Inc. (Philip Morris), a cigarette manufacturer, appeals a judgment in favor of Betty Bullock awarding her compensatory and punitive damages after a jury trial. Philip Morris challenges the findings of liability on several counts based on products liability and fraud, the admission of evidence, the refusal of proposed jury instructions relating to liability and punitive damages, and the amount of the punitive damages award. Jodie Bullock, Betty Bullock’s successor in interest, also appeals, challenging a conditional new trial order that reduced the amount of punitive damages by way of remittitur. Bullock’s attorney, Michael J. Piuze, appeals an order awarding attorney fees against him as a sanction.

We conclude that Philip Morris has shown no error with respect to its liability for fraud and products liability, but that the refusal of Philip Morris’s proposed instruction not to impose punishment for harm caused to nonparties to the litigation was error. We therefore affirm the judgment as to the finding of liability, the award of compensatory damages, and the finding that Philip Morris was guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice, and reverse the judgment…