“There is no other explanation for the excessive damage awards,” the statement said. “These errors reinforce the urgent need for legislative reform to clarify that compliance with labels required under federal law is sufficient to meet all state warning requirements.”
Counsel for McKivison, Tom Kline of Kline & Specter PC and Jason Itkin of Arnold & Itkin LLP, said in a joint statement Tuesday that they are pleased that the trial judge has overruled Monsanto’s numerous attempts to “derail the clear message behind the jury’s verdict — namely that Roundup causes cancer and Monsanto is liable for its reckless conduct.”
“However, we also believe the reduction of the jury’s verdict is a clear departure from established Pennsylvania law that we plan to appeal seeking reinstatement of the jury’s damage award to compensate John McKivison and deter Monsanto’s unapologetic behavior for selling its carcinogenic product to unsuspecting consumers,” they said.
McKivison’s award isn’t the first 10-figure verdict against Monsanto that courts have reduced.
