- Daniel Anderson, just 32 at diagnosis, told jurors he used Roundup for over a decade across California.
- Jimmy Draegerworked his Missouri land with Roundup, while his wife Brenda filed for loss of consortium, describing how their lives were upended.
- Valorie Gunther’snearly 40-year history with the herbicide in New York culminated in a harrowing cancer battle.
After months of wrangling—including special master recommendations on legal issues and evidence—the trial began in October 2023. The jury, after less than eight hours of deliberation, delivered a verdict that resounded like thunder across corporate America.
Eye-Popping Damages: Jury Sends a Message
The original jury awards included:
- Daniel Anderson:$38 million (compensatory), $500 million (punitive)
- Jimmy Draeger:$5.6 million (compensatory), $500 million (punitive)
- Valorie Gunther:$17.5 million (compensatory), $500 million (punitive)
- Brenda Draeger:$100,000 (loss of consortium)
Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, immediately sought to overturn or reduce the verdicts, filing a flurry of post-trial motions. The court denied most, but did reduce punitive damages to meet the Supreme Court’s constitutional 9-to-1 ratio. Even after remittitur, the damages remained colossal, signaling the court’s view of Monsanto’s ongoing conduct.
