1.   A suit against the board would be the one way for the bank to win damage payments, he said.

2.   Can judges consider lawsuits that involve damage payments for people who have been exposed to asbestos, but who have not yet developed any asbestos-related illnesses?

3.   Cigarette companies need the cap on annual damage payments to give investors a measure of predictability.

4.   Federal law says lawsuit damage payments for personal injuries are tax-exempt.

5.   That leaves intact the lower-court ruling that upheld the damage payment.

6.   The deal requires Liggett to stop opposing proposed FDA regulations and make the first damage payments ever by a tobacco company.

7.   The court said the damage payment can be withheld while the company pursues a Supreme Court appeal.

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

9.   The move allows B.A.T to focus on its tobacco business and frees the financial services unit from damage payments of billions of dollars cigarette makers are facing.

10.   The settlement includes a proviso allowing some farmers to argue for bigger damage payments before an independent arbitrator.