The defibrillator made by a Boston Scientific subsidiary has been the source of litigation since it was recalled in 2005. In 2007, the company paid almost $200 million to resolve 8,000 product liability suits. On Friday, Justice took another $296 million.

A ruling upholding a jury verdict for a smoker's estate against three cigarette makers doesn't seem like it would be good news for the tobacco industry. But a decision Friday affirming a $2.5 million damages award against Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, and Liggett Group has a chance--albeit a slight one--to be the sweetest appellate loss the companies have suffered in a decade of Florida litigation.

The high court ruled 8-0 that the Environmental Protection Agency, not the courts, has the power to regulate emissions that cause climate change.