Smoker’s Case Against Tobacco Co. Opens as Rare In-Person Jury Trial in Oregon, Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The first in-person jury trial to take place at a new courthouse in Portland, Oregon, began Tuesday, but with numerous COVID-19 precautions.

The case—a smoker’s lawsuit against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.—is among the rare civil trials attempting to occur in person during the pandemic. A separate bench trial that occurred in person in Los Angeles concluded Wednesday with a $23.7 million verdict… (law.com)