A jury in Georgia has ruled that Bayer, the parent company of Monsanto, must pay nearly $2.1 billion to John Barnes, a man who claims that Roundup weed killer caused his cancer. This significant decision adds to the legal troubles the company has faced over the years regarding its popular herbicide.
The award consists of $65 million in compensatory damages and $2 billion in punitive damages. This verdict is one of the largest settlements linked to Roundup claims. Barnes, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, filed his lawsuit in 2021. His attorney, Kyle Findley, expressed that the verdict provides a chance for Barnes to access the needed treatment. Findley described the ruling as a crucial milestone, highlighting what he sees as Monsanto’s ongoing refusal to accept responsibility for its products.
Bayer, which took over Monsanto in 2018, disputes claims that Roundup is harmful. The company faces over 177,000 lawsuits related to the herbicide and has set aside $16 billion for potential settlements. In response to the latest ruling, Bayer stated that the verdict contradicts extensive scientific evidence supporting Roundup’s safety. They maintain strong confidence in their product, asserting that it complies with EPA regulations.
Roundup’s key ingredient, glyphosate, has been linked in some studies to cancer. Despite this, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asserts that glyphosate, when used as directed, is unlikely to pose a cancer risk to humans. Nonetheless, many lawsuits argue that Monsanto has been aware of glyphosate’s potential risks and has not adequately warned the public.
Findley pointed to evidence of what he calls “years of cover-ups” by Monsanto. He criticized the company for allegedly downplaying research on Roundup’s toxicity. This latest ruling is part of a broader trend—it’s the fourth major victory for Barnes’ legal team, with a notable previous ruling awarding $2.25 billion in Philadelphia earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Bayer is committed to fighting these legal battles. They assert that they have won 17 out of the last 25 trials concerning Roundup. The company is also backing new laws in certain U.S. states aimed at shielding pesticide manufacturers from lawsuits claiming they failed to warn about cancer risks, as long as they comply with EPA labeling regulations. Critics argue that these measures may limit accountability for companies like Bayer.
The ongoing litigation underscores a tension between agricultural innovation and public health concerns. While herbicides like Roundup have helped increase crop yields and reduce soil disruption, the potential health impacts remain a heated topic. With more cases on the horizon, the debate over glyphosate’s safety and Bayer’s accountability is far from over.
For more information on the health effects of glyphosate, you can refer to the EPA’s study.
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Source linkGeorgia, Juries, Lawsuits, General news, GA State Wire, Business, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Government regulations, Lymphoma, U.S. news, Legal proceedings, Kyle Findley, John Barnes, Crime, Climate and environment, Cancer, U.S. News, Climate
