The widow of a man who died after years of chain smoking was awarded $23.6 billion from a Florida jury on Friday.

According to NBC News, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company must pay the large sum to the widow of Michael Johnson Sr. who died in 1996 of lung cancer.

The wrongful death suit claims that the tobacco company wasn't clear on the risks and dangers of tobacco use. In a previous case, Johnson's estate won $17 million as compensation for his death.

The case is the largest wrongful death verdict on a single person in the state of Florida.

Johnson's lawyers, Christopher Chestnut and Willie Gary, who represent 400 other cases in Florida against tobacco companies, say the jury is to thank in the case.

"This jury sent a message and gave 23.6 billion reasons why you can't lie to consumers." he said.

R.J. Reynolds is the maker of Pall Mall and the popular Camel cigarettes, among other tobacco products.

Source: NBC | Photo Credit: Robert Neff