Bayer has been instructed by a jury in Georgia to pay approximately $2.1 billion to a plaintiff who asserted that the company’s Roundup weed killer was responsible for his cancer, according to the plaintiff’s legal representatives.
This ruling, which Bayer has stated it will contest, ranks among the largest legal settlements in cases related to Roundup and marks another challenge for the company, which is one of the leading producers of seeds and pesticides globally.
Bayer has disbursed around $10 billion to resolve various claims asserting that Roundup, which contains the herbicide glyphosate, contributes to cancer. Additionally, over 60,000 more cases are still unresolved, for which Bayer has earmarked $5.9 billion in legal reserves.
The German pharmaceutical and biotechnology firm acquired Roundup through its $63 billion purchase of the US agrochemical giant Monsanto in 2018.
Bayer stated in a release that it disagrees with the jury’s decision, claiming it contradicts the vast body of scientific evidence as well as the consensus of regulatory agencies and their evaluations globally.
“We are confident that we have compelling arguments for our appeal that could overturn this ruling and either eliminate or significantly reduce the excessive and unconstitutional damage awards,” the company remarked.
Bayer noted that damages in cases that have reached final rulings have been reduced by 90% overall in comparison to the original jury awards.
Earlier this month, Bayer informed US lawmakers that it might cease selling Roundup unless legal protections against product liability lawsuits were strengthened, according to a financial analyst and a source familiar with the situation, as reported by Reuters.
