Mistrial Declared in Flight Attendant’s Case

A Florida judge declared a mistrial in a lawsuit brought against Philip Morris Cos. and other cigarette makers by a flight attendant who said he was harmed by secondhand smoke on the job.

Trial Judge Fredricka Smith ended the second individual flight attendant trial against tobacco firms after American Airlines flight attendant Juan Queipo, 42, passed out in front of jurors for a second straight day, Philip Morris said. Smith told jurors after the first blackout that Queipo’s condition was unrelated to the tobacco claims.

Queipo claims he developed chronic sinusitis from breathing secondhand smoke, and he sought unspecified compensatory damages from Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc. and Loews Corp.’s Lorillard Tobacco Co.

Philip Morris shares rose 38 cents to $55.45, R.J. Reynolds shares rose 16 cents to $68.86 and Loews shares rose 24 cents to $57.85, all on the NYSE.