In a stunning courtroom drama, a 12-member jury has rendered a groundbreaking verdict in favor of plaintiff Mike Dennis, awarding him a monumental $332 million in a lawsuit against Monsanto. The trial, broadcast live on the Courtroom View Network, concluded with a resounding blow to the agrochemical giant. The jury found Monsanto guilty of negligence in the manufacturing and design of its controversial herbicide, Roundup, and for failing to adequately warn consumers about the dangers associated with its use.

Jury Finds Negligence and Lack of Warning

The heart of the matter lies in Monsanto's alleged negligence in the production and design of Roundup, and its failure to provide proper warnings about the potential risks. The jury, after careful consideration, agreed with Mike Dennis on these critical aspects. Furthermore, they concluded that this failure to warn significantly contributed to Dennis's diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Roundup Fails to Meet Safety Expectations

Adding to Monsanto's woes, the jury concurred with Dennis's claim that Roundup did not live up to the safety expectations of its customers. This verdict indicates a significant setback for Monsanto, as it underscores the importance of product safety in the eyes of consumers.

$332 Million Verdict in Roundup Trial : A Massive Blow to Monsanto

While the jury absolved Dennis from proving that Monsanto's negligence or design was a substantial factor in his cancer, they delivered a decisive blow to the company in the form of punitive damages. The verdict includes a staggering $2 million for post-noneconomic damages, $5 million for future noneconomic damages, and an eye-popping $325 million in punitive damages. The jury's decision to award such a substantial amount stems from their belief that Monsanto acted with malice, oppression, or fraud through its managers and directors.

$332 Million Verdict in Roundup Trial : Dennis's Legal Team Applauds Verdict

Following the trial, Dennis's co-lead counsel, Adam Peavey and Scott Love of Clark Love & Hutson PLLC, hailed the jury's verdict as a "great result for a very deserving client." They expressed gratitude for the jury's hard work and emphasized the importance of justice for all victims affected by this product.

Bayer Disagrees and Promises to Fight

In response to the verdict, Bayer, Monsanto's parent company, expressed its disagreement with the outcome. However, they noted that the jury did find in favor of the company on two of the four claims. Bayer remains resolute in its stance to challenge the verdict, stating that they believe they have "strong arguments on appeal to get this unfounded verdict overturned and the unconstitutionally excessive damage award eliminated or reduced." They argue that significant legal and evidentiary errors were made during the trial.

Bayer added that they maintain a winning record in the Roundup litigation, having secured victories in nine of the last 12 cases that went to trial. They also claim to have resolved the majority of claims filed in this litigation, underscoring their commitment to defending their product.

$332 Million Verdict in Roundup Trial : A Pattern of Verdicts

This momentous $332 million verdict comes in the wake of a recent $175 million judgment against Monsanto in a Philadelphia trial. Plaintiff Ernest Caranci claimed that Monsanto failed to provide adequate warnings about carcinogens in Roundup. The verdict, which concluded the city's first trial on tort claims over Roundup, awarded Caranci $25 million in compensatory damages and a staggering $150 million in punitive damages.

However, Monsanto has had mixed results in other trials. In September, the company won a midtrial directed verdict in a case brought by Mark McCostlin, a longtime Roundup user in Missouri. And in May, a Missouri jury cleared Monsanto of liability in a trial brought by gardener Sharlean Gordon, who claimed Roundup caused her lymphoma.

Legal Representatives

Mike Dennis was represented by Paul R. Kiesel and Melanie Palmer of Kiesel Law LLP and Scott A. Love, Adam D. Peavy, and Kathryn Grace Hooten of Clark Love & Hutson PLLC.

Monsanto was represented by Lee Mickus, Jay Schuttert, and Joshua Cools of Evans Fears Schuttert McNulty & Mickus and Pamela J. Yates and Daniel Meyers of Arnold & Porter.