Cigarette co. appeals $116 million payment

BOSTON (WWLP) - The Massachusetts State Supreme Court will hear a multi-million dollar appeals case next month.

Lorillard Tobacco Company has challenged a lower court decision to pay a Boston family $116 million in damages.

The family of Marie Evans of Boston won its case that the lung cancer victim became hooked on cigarettes when Lorillard handed out free samples at her Boston housing project.

The tobacco company claims it was denied a fair trial because the judge allowed irrelevant and highly inflammatory evidence.