For the second time in two weeks a Miami jury has ruled against Big Tobacco, this time awarding $5.5 million to a former flight attendant who alleged years of secondhand smoke exposure led to her chronic sinusitis. Lynn French, 56, said she inhaled toxic secondhand smoke for the first 14 years of her 26-year career while working for TWA and American Airlines. Attorneys representing the defendants, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Philip Morris, Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. and Lorillard, argued French's sinusitis is the result of allergies and bacteria.

The verdict is believed to be the first time a jury has ruled against the tobacco companies in a secondhand smoke case. Earlier this month, a Miami jury awarded $37.5 million to a retired lawyer who alleged three of the nation's leading tobacco companies contributed to his terminal bladder and oral cancer.