Bayer has been ordered to pay approximately $2.1 billion in damages after a Georgia jury ruled that its Roundup weed killer caused cancer in the plaintiff. The decision, which includes $65 million in compensatory damages and $2 billion in punitive damages, marks one of the largest verdicts in Roundup-related litigation.
Bayer, which acquired Roundup through its 2018 $63 billion purchase of Monsanto, announced it will appeal the verdict. The company maintains that the ruling contradicts the overwhelming scientific evidence and the consensus of global regulatory bodies, which have found Roundup safe for use.
This verdict is the latest challenge for Bayer, which has already paid $10 billion to settle similar claims and faces over 60,000 pending lawsuits. The company has set aside $5.9 billion in legal provisions to address these ongoing cases.
Bayer emphasized its belief in the strength of its appeal, noting that past damage awards in Roundup-related cases have been reduced by up to 90%. The company is also reportedly considering stopping sales of Roundup unless U.S. lawmakers provide stronger legal protections against product liability suits.
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