Bayer (OTC:BAYRY), the German chemical giant, is preparing to challenge a US court ruling that ordered its Monsanto (NYSE:MON) unit to pay $332 million to Michael Dennis, a former land surveyor diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after prolonged exposure to Bayer's glyphosate-based herbicide, Roundup. The company expressed surprise at the ruling and remains confident in its potential reversal on appeal.
This decision marks the third consecutive defeat for Bayer in US courts, interrupting a streak of previous victories. It follows recent rulings in San Diego, Philadelphia, and St. Louis where Monsanto was ordered to pay damages exceeding $500 million to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients who claim their disease was caused by exposure to Roundup.
These legal challenges have arisen following Bayer's takeover of Monsanto in 2018 for $63 billion, which brought with it legal complications related to Roundup. As a result, Bayer now faces a series of lawsuits across the United States, stemming from assertions that Roundup is carcinogenic - an allegation Bayer consistently denies.
Lawyers Wylie Blair and Brent Wisner of Wisner Baum have suggested a global settlement for ongoing similar cases. Despite considerable reductions in past awards on appeal, Bayer views the recent $175 million verdict as a split decision and plans to challenge these rulings. The company remains confident in their overturn. The recent legal setbacks ended a run of nine-defense verdicts for Monsanto.
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