Introduction:
In a groundbreaking decision, a Philadelphia jury recently awarded $175 million to 83-year-old plaintiff Ernest Caranci, holding Bayer-owned Monsanto responsible for his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). This verdict, announced on October 27, comes on the heels of another trial loss for Monsanto, signaling a potential shift in the legal landscape surrounding Roundup weedkiller.
The Case:
Ernest Caranci’s case, the first Roundup trial in Philadelphia, concluded after a three-week legal battle. The jury found that exposure to glyphosate, the primary ingredient in Roundup, and another chemical compound, led to Caranci’s NHL diagnosis nearly 20 years ago.
Verdict Details:
The jury’s decision included $175 million in damages, with $150 million allocated for punitive damages. This substantial award underscores the severity of the allegations against Monsanto. Caranci’s co-lead counsel expressed satisfaction with the verdict, suggesting that it could set a precedent for Roundup litigation nationwide.
In response to the verdict, Bayer, the parent company of Monsanto, announced its intention to appeal. Bayer disagreed with the jury’s decision, citing what they claim were significant and reversible legal and evidentiary errors during the trial. The company aims to overturn the verdict and reduce the awarded damages through the appellate process.
During the trial, Caranci’s legal team argued that he had regularly applied over 500 gallons of Roundup on his property without protective equipment between 1989 and 2014. Importantly, Monsanto never recommended the use of protective gear, according to the plaintiff’s attorneys. Caranci, who is currently undergoing treatment for a fourth round of NHL, claims his cancer is a direct result of using Roundup without adequate protection.
Implications and Ongoing Litigation:
This verdict follows a recent jury decision awarding $1.25 million in compensatory damages to a St. Louis man, breaking Bayer/Monsanto’s nine-trial winning streak. As the legal battle continues, approximately 40,000 similar Roundup lawsuits remain pending against Bayer, despite the company having settled around 95,000 cases in 2020 for $10.9 billion.
The Philadelphia jury’s decision in favor of Ernest Caranci represents a significant setback for Bayer and Monsanto. With ongoing trials and thousands of lawsuits awaiting resolution, the Roundup litigation saga continues to unfold, potentially reshaping the future of weedkiller-related legal actions. Bayer’s planned appeal will be closely watched, as it may influence the trajectory of similar cases across the nation.
If you have been harmed by Roundup or any other product, please contact Klaproth Law for a free, confidential consultation.
