Bayer Archives

Dying man asks California Supreme Court to restore jury award in Monsanto Roundup case

Carey Gillam | August 31, 2020

The school groundskeeper who won the first-ever trial over allegations that Monsanto’s Roundup causes cancer is asking the California Supreme Court to restore $250 million in punitive damages awarded by the jury who heard his case but then slashed by an appeals court to $20.5 million. Notably, the appeal by plaintiff Dewayne “Lee” Johnson has … Dying man asks California Supreme Court to restore jury award in Monsanto Roundup case

Bayer’s Monsanto headache persists

Carey Gillam | October 1, 2020

The migraine that is Monsanto doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon for Bayer AG. Efforts at settling the mass of lawsuits brought in the United States by tens of thousands of people who claim Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides gave them cancer continue to inch forward, but are not addressing all outstanding cases, nor are … Bayer’s Monsanto headache persists

Settlement in Monsanto Roundup cancer litigation complicated by hold-out attorney

Carey Gillam | January 17, 2020

What will it take to get Mike Miller to settle? That is the pressing question as one of the lead lawyers in the nationwide Roundup cancer litigation has thus far refused to align with fellow litigators in agreeing to settle cases on behalf of thousands of cancer patients who claim their diseases were caused by … Settlement in Monsanto Roundup cancer litigation complicated by hold-out attorney

Cancer Taking Toll As New Roundup Trials Near

Carey Gillam | November 13, 2019

For the last five years, Chris Stevick has helped his wife Elaine in her battle against a vicious type of cancer that the couple believes was caused by Elaine’s repeated use of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide around a California property the couple owned. Now the roles are reversed as Elaine must help Chris face his own … Cancer Taking Toll As New Roundup Trials Near

Appeals court upholds groundskeeper’s Roundup cancer trial win over Monsanto

Carey Gillam | July 20, 2020

In yet another court loss for Monsanto owner Bayer AG, an appeals court rejected the company’s effort to overturn the trial victory notched by a California school groundskeeper who alleged exposure to Monsanto’s glyphosate herbicides caused him to develop cancer, though the court did say damages should be cut to $20.5 million. The Court of … Appeals court upholds groundskeeper’s Roundup cancer trial win over Monsanto

California Supreme Court denies review of Monsanto Roundup trial loss

Carey Gillam | October 22, 2020

The California Supreme Court will not review a California man’s trial win over Monsanto, dealing another blow to Monsanto’s German owner, Bayer AG. The decision to deny a review in the case of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson marks the latest in a string of court losses for Bayer as it tries to complete settlements with close … California Supreme Court denies review of Monsanto Roundup trial loss

Bayer makes new $2 billion plan to head off future Roundup cancer claims

Carey Gillam | February 3, 2021

Monsanto owner Bayer AG said Wednesday it was attempting again to manage and resolve potential future Roundup cancer claims, laying out a $2 billion deal with a group of plaintiffs’ attorneys that Bayer hopes will win approval from a federal judge who rejected a prior plan last summer. Notably, the deal calls for Bayer to … Bayer makes new $2 billion plan to head off future Roundup cancer claims

Bayer’s class action settlement plan draws widespread outrage, opposition

Carey Gillam | March 10, 2021

(Updated March 10 to include judge’s order delaying hearing until May 12) More than 90 law firms and more than 160 lawyers have notified a federal court judge overseeing U.S. Roundup litigation that they oppose Monsanto owner Bayer AG’s $2 billion plan to settle future claims the company expects to be brought by people diagnosed … Bayer’s class action settlement plan draws widespread outrage, opposition

‘The World is Against Them’: New Era of Cancer Lawsuits Threaten Monsanto

Stacy Malkan | October 8, 2018

A landmark verdict found Roundup caused a man’s cancer, paving the way for thousands of other families to seek justice This article was originally published in The Guardian. By Carey Gillam Dean Brooks grasped on to the shopping cart, suddenly unable to stand or breathe. Later, at a California emergency room, a nurse with teary … ‘The World is Against Them’: New Era of Cancer Lawsuits Threaten Monsanto

St. Louis Judge Denies Monsanto Bid to Delay Another Roundup Cancer Trial

Carey Gillam | August 13, 2019

Monsanto’s bid to postpone another upcoming Roundup cancer trials in St. Louis has failed – at least for the time being – as a judge has ordered that a trial set for October will proceed. After hearing Monsanto’s argument last week seeking a continuance in the case of Walter Winston v. Monsanto, St. Louis Circuit … St. Louis Judge Denies Monsanto Bid to Delay Another Roundup Cancer Trial

Dicamba litigation against Bayer, BASF poised to explode, lawyers say

Carey Gillam | February 26, 2020

Thousands of farmers from multiple states are expected to join mass tort litigation pending in federal court over claims that weed-killing products developed by the former Monsanto Co. and other chemical companies are destroying and contaminating crops, including organic production, a group of lawyers and farmers said on Wednesday. The number of farmers seeking legal … Dicamba litigation against Bayer, BASF poised to explode, lawyers say

New legal filings over alleged Roundup dangers amid court coronavirus delays

Carey Gillam | March 24, 2020

Even as the spread of the coronavirus closes courthouse doors to the public and lawyers, legal maneuvering continues over claims of danger associated with Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicides. Two nonprofit advocacy groups, the Center for Food Safety (CFS) and the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), filed an amicus brief on behalf of cancer patient Edwin Hardeman … New legal filings over alleged Roundup dangers amid court coronavirus delays

Fresh talk of a settlement between Bayer and Roundup cancer patients

Carey Gillam | May 26, 2020

There was renewed talk of a potential settlement this week between Bayer AG and tens of thousands of cancer patients as a key court hearing looms next week. According to a report in Bloomberg, lawyers for Bayer have reached verbal agreements with U.S. lawyers representing at least 50,000 plaintiffs who are suing Monsanto over claims … Fresh talk of a settlement between Bayer and Roundup cancer patients

UPDATED – Court overturns EPA approval of Bayer dicamba herbicide; says regulator “understated the risks”

Carey Gillam | June 3, 2020

(UPDATES with statement from BASF) In a stunning rebuke of the Environmental Protection Agency, a federal court on Wednesday overturned the agency’s approval of popular dicamba-based herbicides made by chemical giants Bayer, BASF and Corteva Agrisciences. The ruling effectively makes it illegal for farmers to continue to use the product. The ruling by the U.S. … UPDATED – Court overturns EPA approval of Bayer dicamba herbicide; says regulator “understated the risks”

Appeals court denies Monsanto bid for Roundup case rehearing

Carey Gillam | August 18, 2020

A California appeals court on Tuesday rejected Monsanto’s effort to trim $4 million from the amount of money it owes a California groundskeeper who is struggling to survive cancer that a jury found was caused by the man’s exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides. The Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District of California also … Appeals court denies Monsanto bid for Roundup case rehearing

New glyphosate papers point to “urgency” for more research on chemical impact to human health

Carey Gillam | November 23, 2020

Newly published scientific papers illustrate the ubiquitous nature of the weed killing chemical glyphosate and a need to better understand the impact exposure to the popular pesticide may be having on human health, including the health of the gut microbiome. In one of the new papers, researchers from the University of Turku in Finland said … New glyphosate papers point to “urgency” for more research on chemical impact to human health

Roundup cancer attorney pleads guilty to extortion attempt

Carey Gillam | June 22, 2020

A Virginia lawyer who helped represent the first Roundup cancer plaintiff to take Monsanto to trial pleaded guilty on Friday to trying to extort $200 million from a chemical compound supplier to Monsanto. Timothy Litzenburg, 38, admitted to a scheme in which he and another lawyer threatened to inflict substantial “financial and reputational harm” on … Roundup cancer attorney pleads guilty to extortion attempt

Court frowns on Bayer’s proposed Roundup class-action settlement

Carey Gillam | July 6, 2020

A federal judge on Monday had harsh words for Bayer AG’s plan to delay potential future Roundup cancer lawsuits and block jury trials, criticizing the highly unusual proposal crafted by Bayer and a small group of plaintiffs’ attorneys as potentially unconstitutional. The “Court is skeptical of the propriety and fairness of the proposed settlement, and … Court frowns on Bayer’s proposed Roundup class-action settlement

Appeal in first Monsanto Roundup cancer trial to be heard in June

Carey Gillam | April 9, 2020

A California appeals court has set a June hearing for cross appeals resulting from the first-ever trial over allegations that Monsanto’s herbicides cause cancer. The Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District of California said Thursday that it was setting a hearing for June 2 in the case of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson v. Monsanto. … Appeal in first Monsanto Roundup cancer trial to be heard in June

Bayer backs away from plan to contain future Roundup cancer claims

Carey Gillam | July 8, 2020

Monsanto owner Bayer AG is backing away from a plan to contain future Roundup cancer claims after a federal judge made it clear he would not approve the scheme, which would delay new trials and limit jury decision-making. The plan concocted by Bayer and a small group of lawyers was filed last month in U.S. … Bayer backs away from plan to contain future Roundup cancer claims

Appeals court hears arguments over Monsanto’s first Roundup trial loss

Carey Gillam | June 2, 2020

A California jury decision blaming a Monsanto herbicide for a school groundskeeper’s cancer was deeply flawed and incompatible with the law, a Monsanto attorney told a panel of appellate judges on Tuesday. The company’s glyphosate-based herbicides – popularly known as Roundup – have the full backing of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and “regulators around … Appeals court hears arguments over Monsanto’s first Roundup trial loss

Appeals court focused on damages question ahead of Johnson v. Monsanto hearing

Carey Gillam | May 14, 2020

A California appeals court looks poised to issue a ruling that would uphold the first U.S. trial victory involving allegations that Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer causes cancer. The California Courts of Appeal First Appellate District on Wednesday notified lawyers for plaintiff Dewayne “Lee” Johnson and legal counsel for Monsanto that they should be prepared to … Appeals court focused on damages question ahead of Johnson v. Monsanto hearing

Bayer shareholder meeting draws protests, pleas from cancer patients

Carey Gillam | May 1, 2020

The Bayer AG annual shareholders’ meeting got underway Tuesday in Germany, drawing the attention of not only investors and analysts but also activists, lawyers and cancer patients who want to see Bayer make amends for alleged misdeeds by Monsanto, which Bayer bought two years ago. The meeting was to be an in-person event in Bonn, … Bayer shareholder meeting draws protests, pleas from cancer patients

Bayer said to be reneging on Roundup settlement deals as virus closes courthouses

Carey Gillam | April 3, 2020

Bayer AG is reneging on negotiated settlements with several U.S. law firms representing thousands of plaintiffs who claim exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma, sources involved in the litigation said on Friday. The reversal comes as U.S. courts are closed to the public because of the spreading coronavirus, eliminating the … Bayer said to be reneging on Roundup settlement deals as virus closes courthouses

Shareholder files suit against Bayer over “disastrous” Monsanto acquisition

Carey Gillam | March 6, 2020

A California shareholder of Bayer AG on Friday filed a lawsuit against the companies’ top executives claiming they breached their duty of “prudence” and “loyalty” to the company and investors by buying Monsanto Co. in 2018, an acquisition the suit claims has “inflicted billions of dollars of damages” on the company. Plaintiff Rebecca R. Haussmann, … Shareholder files suit against Bayer over “disastrous” Monsanto acquisition

As settlement talks drag on, another Monsanto Roundup trial nears

Carey Gillam | February 20, 2020

Continuing to lack a resolution in the massive nationwide Roundup cancer litigation, a leading U.S. plaintiffs’ law firm is pressing ahead with preparations for a California trial involving a critically ill cancer patient and his wife who are suing the former Monsanto company claiming the man’s disease is due to years of his use of … As settlement talks drag on, another Monsanto Roundup trial nears

St. Louis Roundup cancer trial “will not resume;” settlement news expected

Carey Gillam | February 3, 2020

A Roundup cancer trial in St. Louis, Missouri, will not open on Wednesday as expected, a court spokesman said Monday, fueling fresh speculation that a global settlement of tens of thousands of lawsuits brought by cancer victims against the former Monsanto Co. may be near. St. Louis City Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Hogan issued the … St. Louis Roundup cancer trial “will not resume;” settlement news expected

Bayer settlement of Roundup cancer claims still up in air

Carey Gillam | January 28, 2020

Jurors selected to hear a St. Louis case pitting cancer victims against Monsanto have been told the trial that was postponed indefinitely last week could resume as early as next Monday, a court spokesman said, an indication that efforts by Monsanto owner Bayer AG to end nationwide litigation over the safety of Roundup herbicides is … Bayer settlement of Roundup cancer claims still up in air

Dust-up over media ahead of Roundup cancer trial opening

Carey Gillam | January 23, 2020

Lawyers representing the opposing sides of the upcoming Monsanto Roundup cancer trial due to open Friday in St. Louis were huddled away from the courthouse on Thursday amid speculation that settlement talks between the plaintiffs attorneys and Monsanto owner Bayer AG were at a critical juncture. In the absence of the attorneys, confusion over media … Dust-up over media ahead of Roundup cancer trial opening

Stakes are high with two Roundup cancer trials starting amid settlement talks

Carey Gillam | January 22, 2020

It’s been nearly five years since international cancer scientists classified a popular weed-killing chemical as probably carcinogenic, news that triggered an explosion of lawsuits brought by cancer patients who blame the former chemical maker Monsanto Co. for their suffering. Tens of thousands of U.S. plaintiffs – some lawyers involved in the litigation say over 100,000 … Stakes are high with two Roundup cancer trials starting amid settlement talks

Monsanto loses effort to head off St. Louis trial that starts next week

Carey Gillam | January 16, 2020

Monsanto’s German owner Bayer AG has failed in efforts to head off a Missouri trial over claims brought by cancer patients that Monsanto’s herbicide caused their diseases and Monsanto hid the risks. In a ruling handed down Wednesday, St. Louis City Judge Elizabeth Byrne Hogan of Missouri’s 22nd Circuit ruled that the company wasn’t entitled … Monsanto loses effort to head off St. Louis trial that starts next week

Anticipation Builds For Settlement of Roundup Cancer Claims

Carey Gillam | January 14, 2020

Anticipation is building around the belief that there could soon be an announcement of at least a partial settlement of U.S. lawsuits pitting thousands of U.S. cancer patients against Monsanto Co. over allegations the company hid the health risks of its Roundup herbicides. Investors in Bayer AG, the German company that bought Monsanto in 2018, … Anticipation Builds For Settlement of Roundup Cancer Claims

St. Louis Monsanto Roundup Trial Postponed, Bayer stock climbs

Carey Gillam | January 8, 2020

A highly anticipated Roundup cancer trial set to start later this month in the St. Louis area has been pulled from the docket, a court official said on Wednesday. The trial, which was to pit a woman named Sharlean Gordon against Roundup maker Monsanto Co., was to start Jan. 27 in St. Louis County and … St. Louis Monsanto Roundup Trial Postponed, Bayer stock climbs

More Monsanto Roundup Cancer Trials Expected to be Postponed

Carey Gillam | January 7, 2020

(UPDATE Jan. 8, 2020- On Wednesday, St. Louis County Court spokeswoman Christine Bertelson confirmed that one trial set to start Jan. 27 has been officially postponed with no new trial date yet set. That trial was to pit a woman named Sharlean Gordon against Monsanto. ) Discussions are underway to postpone one or more highly … More Monsanto Roundup Cancer Trials Expected to be Postponed

Attorney for Roundup Cancer Plaintiffs Arrested on Criminal Charges

Carey Gillam | December 18, 2019

The legal drama surrounding the mass tort Roundup cancer litigation just got ratcheted up a notch. Federal criminal charges were filed this week against attorney Timothy Litzenburg alleging the 37-year-old lawyer demanded $200 million in “consulting fees” in exchange for keeping quiet about information that he threatened would be potentially devastating to a chemical compound … Attorney for Roundup Cancer Plaintiffs Arrested on Criminal Charges

Monsanto Makes New Bid to Block St. Louis Trial

Carey Gillam | September 23, 2019

Less than a month away from what would be the fourth Roundup cancer trial to pit cancer victims against the former agrochemical giant Monsanto Co., lawyers for the opposing sides continue to battle over how, when and where the case should – or should not – be heard. Lawyers for Monsanto and for its German … Monsanto Makes New Bid to Block St. Louis Trial

UPDATED- St. Louis Trial over Monsanto Roundup Cancer Claims in Limbo

Carey Gillam | September 19, 2019

(UPDATE) – On Sept. 12, the Missouri Supreme Court closed the case, agreeing with plaintiffs’ attorneys that Monsanto’s request for the high court to take up the venue issue was moot. St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Michael Mullen then transferred all plaintiffs except Winston to St. Louis County in a Sept. 13 order.) An October … UPDATED- St. Louis Trial over Monsanto Roundup Cancer Claims in Limbo

I’m a Journalist. Monsanto Built a Strategy to Destroy My Reputation

Stacy Malkan | September 9, 2019

This story originally ran in The Guardian on August 9, 2019 By Carey Gillam As a journalist who has covered corporate America for more than 30 years, very little shocks me about the propaganda tactics companies often deploy. I know the pressure companies can and do bring to bear when trying to effect positive coverage … I’m a Journalist. Monsanto Built a Strategy to Destroy My Reputation

Newsweek Gets Ad Money from Bayer, Prints Op-Eds That Help Bayer

Stacy Malkan | March 28, 2019

Newsweek failed to disclose the chemical industry connections of two opinion writers who argued today in an op-ed that glyphosate can’t be regulated. The commentary by Henry I. Miller and Stuart Smyth, both of whom have ties to Monsanto that were not disclosed in the piece, appeared soon after a federal jury handed cancer victim … Newsweek Gets Ad Money from Bayer, Prints Op-Eds That Help Bayer

Tech, Medical and Farm Groups Ask Appeals Court to Overturn Verdict Against Monsanto

Carey Gillam | September 4, 2019

Groups representing farm, medical and biotechnology interests have filed briefs with the California Court of Appeal, aligning with Monsanto in asking the court to overturn last summer’s jury verdict that found Monsanto’s glyphosate-herbicides cause cancer and determined that the company spent years covering up the risks. The groups are urging the appeals court to either … Tech, Medical and Farm Groups Ask Appeals Court to Overturn Verdict Against Monsanto

Emails Reveal Science Publisher Found Papers On Herbicide Safety Should Be Retracted Due to Monsanto Meddling

Carey Gillam | August 23, 2019

Secretive influence by Monsanto in a set of papers published in the scientific journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology was so unethical that an investigation by the publisher found that at least three of the papers should be retracted, according to a series of internal journal communications. The journal editor refused to retract the papers, which … Emails Reveal Science Publisher Found Papers On Herbicide Safety Should Be Retracted Due to Monsanto Meddling

A Matter of Fact – Professor Refuses to Correct Errors in New Scientific Paper Finding Problems with Glyphosate

Carey Gillam | June 5, 2019

(UPDATED June 5 with comment from Scientific Reports) The authors of a newly published paper examining the impacts of exposure to the world’s most widely used herbicide declared some shocking news. The team from Washington State University found that descendants of rats exposed to the chemical glyphosate developed prostate, kidney and ovarian diseases, obesity and … A Matter of Fact – Professor Refuses to Correct Errors in New Scientific Paper Finding Problems with Glyphosate

Speculation Over Settlement as Roundup Cancer Trial Postponed

Carey Gillam | August 7, 2019

The mysterious delay of what was supposed to be a closely watched St. Louis showdown over claims that Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides cause cancer has stirred speculation that a settlement may be in the offing and heartened investors in Monsanto’s German owner Bayer, who feared a fourth trial loss. The trial in St. Louis, Monsanto’s former … Speculation Over Settlement as Roundup Cancer Trial Postponed

St. Louis Roundup Cancer Trial Reset for January, Talk of Bayer Settlement

Carey Gillam | August 7, 2019

The much-anticipated Roundup cancer trial set to get underway in two weeks in Monsanto’s former hometown of St. Louis is being rescheduled, according to the a spokeswoman for the St. Louis County Court where the trial was set to begin Aug 19. Court spokeswoman Christine Bertelson said Judge Brian May, who is overseeing the … St. Louis Roundup Cancer Trial Reset for January, Talk of Bayer Settlement

Monsanto fails bid to banish experts from St. Louis Roundup cancer trial

Carey Gillam | July 29, 2019

Monsanto is not finding an early hometown advantage as it prepares for the next Roundup cancer trial after the St. Louis judge who will oversee the trial denied Monsanto’s motion for summary judgment and denied the company’s request to ban experts scheduled to testify for the plaintiff. Before selling to Germany-based Bayer AG last year, … Monsanto fails bid to banish experts from St. Louis Roundup cancer trial

Sick Children Among Cancer Victims Suing Monsanto Over Roundup

Carey Gillam | July 16, 2019

A 12-year-old boy suffering from cancer is among the newest plaintiffs taking on Monsanto and its German owner Bayer AG in growing litigation over the safety of Roundup herbicides and Monsanto’s handling of scientific concerns about the products. Lawyers for Jake Bellah were in court Monday in Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport, California arguing … Sick Children Among Cancer Victims Suing Monsanto Over Roundup

Judge Cuts Amount Monsanto Owner Bayer Owes Cancer Victim

Carey Gillam | July 15, 2019

A federal judge has slashed the punitive damages a jury ordered Monsanto to pay to cancer victim Edwin Hardeman from $75 million to $20 million, despite the judge’s description of Monsanto’s conduct surrounding questions about the safety of its Roundup herbicide as “reprehensible.” U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria ruled Monday that the jury’s decision in the … Judge Cuts Amount Monsanto Owner Bayer Owes Cancer Victim

Monsanto, Bayer Struggle to Keep Up with Growing Roundup Cancer Litigation

Carey Gillam | June 13, 2019

Turmoil both in and outside courtrooms appears to be growing for Monsanto, a unit of German owner Bayer AG, as the company works to meet overlapping deadlines for appeal actions in the three Roundup cancer trials Monsanto has lost so far at the same time that the company must prepare for new trials at the … Monsanto, Bayer Struggle to Keep Up with Growing Roundup Cancer Litigation

Reuters’ Kate Kelland promoted false narrative about IARC and Aaron Blair

Stacy Malkan | July 24, 2017

UPDATE January 2019: Documents filed in court show that Monsanto provided Kate Kelland with the documents for her June 2017 story about Aaron Blair and gave her a slide deck of talking points the company wanted covered. For more details, see Carey Gillam’s Roundup Trial Tracker post. The following analysis was prepared by Carey Gillam … Reuters’ Kate Kelland promoted false narrative about IARC and Aaron Blair

In Their Hands – Jurors in 3rd Monsanto Roundup Cancer Trial Weigh Evidence

Carey Gillam | May 13, 2019

Jury deliberations were set to resume Monday morning in Oakland, California in the case of an elderly married couple who allege that many years of use of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide caused them each to develop debilitating non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Lawyers for plaintiffs Alva and Alberta Pilliod and legal counsel for Monsanto and its German owner Bayer … In Their Hands – Jurors in 3rd Monsanto Roundup Cancer Trial Weigh Evidence

Get our newsletter | Weekly updates in your inbox

Sign up for our free newsletter to get breaking public health news straight to your inbox

Sign up for our free newsletter
to get breaking public health news
straight to your inbox