Kevin Penza Personal Representative for the Estate of Jacqueline Penza vs. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company et al

Case Background

On September 28, 2020, Plaintiff Kevin Penza filed a Wrongful Death lawsuit in the Massachusetts State, Superior Court, Hampden County (Case number: 2079CV00508).

Cause

Kevin Penza, acting as the Personal Representative of his late wife Jacqueline Penza’s Estate, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Philip Morris USA, Inc., and related entities. Jacqueline Penza, born in 1959, started smoking cigarettes at the age of 12 after receiving free samples in her Massachusetts neighborhood. Over 45 years, she regularly consumed brands such as Winston, Winston Lights, Newport, Kent, and Marlboro, all manufactured and marketed by the Defendants. These companies knowingly designed cigarettes with dangerously high levels of tar and nicotine to maximize addiction. Despite understanding the severe health risks their products posed, the Defendants concealed this information and instead falsely promoted cigarettes as safe and appealing. Through deceptive marketing strategies, including terms like "light" and "low tar," they misled consumers, including Jacqueline, into believing these products were less harmful. The Plaintiff alleged that the Defendants intentionally targeted minors by distributing free cigarette samples and using youth-focused advertisements to expand their customer base.

Injuries

Jacqueline Penza endured significant suffering from her long-term nicotine addiction, which the