A U.S. appeals court has upheld the lawsuit of a Georgia doctor claiming that Roundup weedkiller caused his cancer, marking a significant defeat for Bayer AG.
Brendan Pierson reports for Reuters.
In short:
- The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Bayer's claim that federal approval exempts Roundup from state lawsuits over failure to warn about cancer risks.
- Bayer insists on the safety of Roundup, despite facing more than 50,000 claims and having previously settled for up to $10.9 billion.
- The court's decision allows the Georgia doctor's case to proceed, challenging Bayer's defense based on federal law preemption.
Key quote:
"We're gratified the court rejected Monsanto's defense and upheld the validity of Dr. Carson's claims."
— David Frederick, attorney for the plaintiff
Why this matters:
This ruling signals a critical juncture for companies like Bayer, facing extensive litigation that could influence future regulatory and legal frameworks for consumer safety and corporate accountability.
See related: The Monsanto Papers
