In the latest glyphosate trial, a San Francisco jury has awarded the plaintiff $80 million in damages after making the claim that the glyphosate-based weed killer Roundup was the source of his cancer. In the trial Edwin Hardeman v. Monsanto Co., 70-year old Edwin Hardeman alleged that after using Roundup for nearly 30 years the product was responsible for his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Bayer AG acquired Monsanto last year, as well as the litigation involved with the popular weed killer Roundup.
“We have great sympathy for Mr. Hardeman and his family. Bayer stands behind these products and will vigorously defend them.” Bayer said in a statement. “The jury in this case deliberated for more than four days before reaching a causation verdict in phase one, an indication that it was very likely divided over the scientific evidence. The legal rulings under which the court admitted expert scientific testimony from the plaintiff that it called ‘shaky’ is one of several significant issues that the Company may raise on appeal. Monsanto moved to exclude this same evidence before trial.”
The jury decided that Hardeman should receive $75 million in punitive damages, as well as $2 million for future noneconomic loss, nearly $3.07 million for past noneconomic loss, and close to $201,000 for past economic loss. The same six-person jury previously sided with Hardeman last month in phase one of the trial. In another glyphosate trial last year, the jury awarded the plaintiff $289 million which was later reduced by the judge.
“We are disappointed with the jury’s decision, but this verdict does not change the weight of over four decades of extensive science and the conclusions of regulators worldwide that support the safety of our glyphosate-based herbicides and that they are not carcinogenic. The verdict in this trial has no impact on future cases and trials, as each one has its own factual and legal circumstances. Bayer will appeal this verdict,” Bayer noted.
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