Barnes v. Monsanto Co.

Summary

In this product liability litigation, plaintiff seeks to recover damages against defendant Monsanto for the non-Hodgkin lymphoma he developed after years of allegedly using the company's Roundup-brand weed killer.

Plaintiff contends glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide, caused his cancer. He maintains Monsanto knew of links between glyphosate and non-Hodgkin lymphoma but worked to undercut scientific evidence connecting the chemical to cancer and failed to warn consumers of the risks the chemical posed.

Defendant Monsanto contends there is no reliable scientific evidence connecting glyphosate to cancer, and that studies have shown no statistically significant increase in cancer risk from using the chemical. Defendant maintains plaintiff's disease was caused by naturally-occurring DNA replication errors.

Outcome

For the plaintiff: $2.065 billion, which includes:

$65 million in compensatory damages and
$2 billion in punitive damages.