41.   So while some punitive damage awards had been made, many others had been blocked.

42.   That verdict may y produce a punitive damage award of tens or even hundreds of billions against Philip Morris and other companies, she said.

43.   That, some experts say, has created punitive damage inflation, as incensed jurors pick bigger and bigger numbers out of the air.

44.   The age-discrimination ruling did not, however, explicitly resolve conflicting lower court views about punitive damage claims.

45.   The actions bolster IRS claims that the government should get a share of the money from court-ordered punitive damage awards.

46.   The decision could have a major impact on high-stakes lawsuits involving defective products, medical malpractice and other claims that can result in big punitive damage awards.

47.   The decision marked the first time the Supreme Court has overturned a punitive damage award as excessive.

48.   The federal government can collect income taxes on punitive damage awards in personal injury lawsuits, the Supreme Court ruled.

49.   The first issue, excessiveness of punitive damage awards, has stymied the court for years.

50.   The industry would win immunity from future class actions and from punitive damage payments for past actions.