Philip Morris Case Back to Appeals Court

The California Supreme Court sent a former smoker’s suit against Philip Morris Cos. Inc. back to the appellate level for review.

The move comes months after the court handed the tobacco industry a partial victory in a verdict that gave cigarette makers some protection from smoker lawsuits.

The case going back to the appellate court was brought by Patricia Henley, who has inoperable lung cancer. She was awarded $1.5 million in compensatory and $50 million in punitive damages, but the punitive damage award was later lowered to $25 million.