A Pennsylvania jury has ruled that Bayer must pay $78 million in damages to a man who developed cancer after years of using Roundup weedkiller, citing reckless indifference to safety.
Brendan Pierson reports for Reuters.
In short:
- A jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages and $75 million in punitive damages to William Melissen, who claims he got cancer from using Roundup.
- Bayer plans to appeal, arguing that the verdict contradicts scientific evidence and regulatory findings that glyphosate, the active ingredient, is not carcinogenic.
- The case is part of ongoing litigation against Bayer, which still faces around 58,000 claims related to Roundup.
Key quote:
"We disagree with the jury's verdict, as it conflicts with the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence and the consensus of regulatory bodies and their scientific assessments worldwide."
— Statement from Bayer
Why this matters:
This verdict highlights growing legal challenges around glyphosate, raising concerns about corporate responsibility, consumer safety and the potential health risks of widely used herbicides.
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