What is the Most Money Awarded in a Lawsuit?
Lawsuits are a way for individuals and groups to seek justice and compensation for wrongs done to them. Depending on the circumstances, the amount of money awarded in a lawsuit can vary greatly. But what is the most money ever awarded in a lawsuit?
Technically, the case against big tobacco was the biggest personal injury settlement in U.S. history, although it wasn’t a single person or family suing the companies. In 1998, 46 states worked together to sue tobacco manufacturers, and they came away with a $246 billion settlement.
The settlement was reached after a lengthy legal battle. The states argued that the tobacco companies had misled the public about the dangers of smoking and the addictiveness of nicotine. The settlement was divided among the states, with the majority of the money going to a trust fund to help cover the costs of smoking-related illnesses.
The second-largest personal injury settlement was a $145 billion award to the state of California in 2001. The state sued the five largest tobacco companies for the costs of treating smoking-related illnesses. The companies agreed to pay the settlement over a 25-year period.
The third-largest personal injury settlement was a $1.3 billion award to the state of Florida in 2006. The state sued the tobacco companies for the costs of treating smoking-related illnesses. The companies agreed to pay the settlement over a 25-year period.
The fourth-largest personal injury settlement was a $1.2 billion award to the state of Texas in 2008. The state sued the tobacco companies for the costs of treating smoking-related illnesses. The companies agreed to pay the settlement over a 25-year period.
The fifth-largest personal injury settlement was a $1 billion award to the state of Mississippi in 1997. The state sued the tobacco companies for the costs of treating smoking-related illnesses. The companies agreed to pay the settlement over a 25-year period.
These five settlements are the largest personal injury settlements in U.S. history. However, there have been other large awards given in other types of lawsuits. For example, in 2020, a jury awarded $2 billion to a California couple who sued Monsanto for failing to warn them about the dangers of its weed killer, Roundup.
Overall, the most money ever awarded in a lawsuit is the $246 billion settlement reached between the 46 states and the tobacco companies in 1998. This settlement was the result of a lengthy legal battle and is the largest personal injury settlement in U.S. history.
