California Judge Cuts $2 Billion Award for Roundup Lawsuit

A California Superior Court judge cut $2 billion jury verdict over Bayer’s Roundup weedkiller to $86.7 million. The reduced amount will be awarded to a couple who claimed the popular glyphosate-based herbicide, originally produced by Monsanto, contributed to their non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare type of cancer. Bayer acquired Monsanto in 2018.

The jury awarded the plaintiffs, Alva and Alberta Pilliod, $55 million in compensatory damages and $2 billion in punitive damages. Their award was reduced by Judge Winifred Smith to $17 million and $69 million, respectively. The original award was the largest to date in any of the lawsuits alleging Roundup causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma or other cancers.

Alva Pilliod was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in his bones in 2011 after decades of Roundup use. Alberta was diagnosed with non-Hodkin lymphoma in her brain in 2015. The couple claims they used about a gallon of the herbicide per week to maintain four residential properties over three decades without using protective gear.

Roundup Litigation Continues

Across the United States, Bayer is facing more than 13,400 lawsuits alleging prolonged exposure to Roundup and its active ingredient glyphosate can cause cancer. Plaintiffs claim the company knew about the harmful effects of its product yet failed to warn consumers of the risks. Bayer continues to assert that Roundup is safe for humans.

If you were diagnosed with cancer or another ailment and believe it is tied to your use of Roundup or another glyphosate-based weed killer, you should consider seeking legal counsel. The experienced injury lawyers at Laborde Earles understand mass torts and product liability claims and could assess your case. Call now for a consultation.