The verdict in the latest Roundup cancer trial is in, and it is a really, really big deal. Two billion dollars big, in fact.

This news is so huge, even People magazine is covering it.

For the third time in a year, a jury has ruled that the glyphosate in Roundup herbicides contributed to plaintiffs’ cancer, and has awarded a nearly historic level of compensatory and punitive damages.  Our May 13th blog “Has Bayer’s Day of Roundup Reckoning Arrived?” covers the basics. Al and Alberta Pilliod are the plaintiffs in the just decided case. This married couple applied Roundup frequently at residential properties for decades.  They both developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is, gratefully, currently in remission.

This mammoth award — and the clear signal it sends — adds to a long list of headaches for Bayer, who purchased Monsanto in 2018 despite the looming glyphosate lawsuits that now number over 13,000.  Bayer stock is down 45% since the first verdict last summer in the Johnson trial. Investors are beyond ancy and gave the board and current management a vote of no-confidence last month at Bayer’s annual shareholders meeting.

See the latest on the financial fallout in this CNN business report.

What a dramatic turn of events since Lee Johnson’s trial last August, and yesterday adds a boatload of gas to the fire.  To help stay on top of Roundup-related twists and turns, check out Reuters summary of the ongoing appeals and upcoming new trials. And brace yourself, the consequences of Monsanto’s tragic mismanagement of Roundup brand herbicides are far from over.

Source:

Tina Bellon, “Factbox: More Roundup trials, appeals in store for Bayer after $2 billion verdict,” Reuters, Date published: 5/14/2019, Date accessed: 5/14/2019.

Julia Horowitz, “Bayer rocked by record $2 billion Roundup verdict,” CNN Business, Date published: 5/14/2019, Date accessed: 5/14/2019.

Julie Mazziotta, “Jury Awards $2 Billion to Couple Who Say Roundup Weed Killer Caused Their Cancer,” People, Date published: 5/14/2019, Date accessed: 5/14/2019.