Monsanto Archives

Stephens trial drags on, toxicologist testifies about studies of herbicide and cancer risk

Carey Gillam | October 25, 2021

A scientist testified Monday that a California woman’s regular use of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide “vastly” exceeded the exposure scientific research shows more than doubles the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). William Sawyer, a toxicologist and expert witness for plaintiff Donnetta Stephens in her lawsuit against Monsanto, cited scientific research that links use of Monsanto’s … Stephens trial drags on, toxicologist testifies about studies of herbicide and cancer risk

Monsanto lawyer cross-examines cancer patient over her claims Roundup caused her disease

Carey Gillam | September 20, 2021

A California woman suing Monsanto over allegations that her use of Roundup weed killer caused her to develop cancer testified Monday that she had a hard time remembering many details about the extent of her use of the pesticide, struggling to answer several questions posed by a Monsanto attorney. In cross examination, Monsanto attorney Bart … Monsanto lawyer cross-examines cancer patient over her claims Roundup caused her disease

Bayer wins Roundup trial; plaintiff fails to prove exposure caused child’s disease

Carey Gillam | October 6, 2021

The former Monsanto Co., now owned by Bayer AG, notched its first win in the mass tort U.S. Roundup litigation on Tuesday, defeating at trial a mother who alleged her use of Roundup exposed her child to the pesticide and caused him to develop cancer. Ezra Clark was born in May 2011 and diagnosed in … Bayer wins Roundup trial; plaintiff fails to prove exposure caused child’s disease

Monsanto scientist defends Roundup safety in California trial

Carey Gillam | September 28, 2021

A senior scientist at the former Monsanto Co. told jurors in a California trial that the company’s Roundup herbicide is so safe that the scientist uses it regularly at her home, and suggests friends also use the weed killing product. Donna Farmer, who worked as a toxicologist at Monsanto for more than two decades and … Monsanto scientist defends Roundup safety in California trial

Cancer patient lawyer spars with Monsanto scientist in California Roundup trial

Carey Gillam | September 22, 2021

A lawyer for a woman claiming her use of Roundup herbicide caused her to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma sparred with a longtime Monsanto scientist in court on Wednesday, forcing the scientist to address numerous internal corporate documents about research showing Monsanto weed killers could be genotoxic and lead to cancer. The testimony by former Monsanto scientist … Cancer patient lawyer spars with Monsanto scientist in California Roundup trial

Son testifies about his mother’s cancer alleged due to Roundup exposure

Carey Gillam | September 14, 2021

A woman suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma was a devoted user of Roundup herbicide for decades before she became ill, her son testified Tuesday in a California trial that marks the fourth such trial pitting a cancer victim against Roundup maker Monsanto. Under questioning by a lawyer representing plaintiff Donetta Stephens, her son David Stephens recalled … Son testifies about his mother’s cancer alleged due to Roundup exposure

Bayer Roundup trial goes virtual, and it does not go well

Carey Gillam | August 30, 2021

In fits and starts, and with a good dose of frustration over technical difficulties, a California trial pitting an elderly cancer victim against Monsanto owner Bayer AG resumed on Monday in a virtual format after in-person proceedings were suspended last week, reportedly due to concerns about the spread of Covid-19. Due to an array of … Bayer Roundup trial goes virtual, and it does not go well

Covid delays one Roundup cancer trial while another looms

Carey Gillam | August 24, 2021

The California trial pitting an elderly cancer victim against Monsanto owner Bayer AG has been delayed due to concerns about the spread of Covid-19, with proceedings now expected to resume next week in a virtual format via Zoom. Lawyers for plaintiff Donnetta Stephens say that she was a regular user of Monsanto’s glyphosate-based Roundup herbicide … Covid delays one Roundup cancer trial while another looms

Scientist testifies in Roundup trial; judge reverses ruling that had helped Monsanto

Carey Gillam | August 12, 2021

A former U.S. government scientist testifying in the fourth Roundup cancer trial to be held in the United States told a California jury this week that multiple research studies conducted over many years show an “almost certain” connection between Monsanto glyphosate-based herbicides and cancer. Christopher Portier, who is testifying as expert witness on behalf of … Scientist testifies in Roundup trial; judge reverses ruling that had helped Monsanto

Bayer seeks U.S. Supreme Court review of Roundup trial loss

Carey Gillam | August 16, 2021

Monsanto owner Bayer AG on Monday filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking the high court’s review of one of its trial losses in the nationwide Roundup cancer litigation. The move is widely seen as Bayer’s best hope for putting an end to claims that exposure to Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicides, such as the … Bayer seeks U.S. Supreme Court review of Roundup trial loss

Appeals court rejects Bayer bid to overturn Roundup trial loss; cites Monsanto “reckless disregard” for consumer safety

Carey Gillam | August 9, 2021

Monsanto owner Bayer AG has lost another appeals court decision in the sweeping U.S. Roundup litigation, continuing to struggle to find a way out from under the crush of tens of thousands of claims alleging that Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicides cause cancer. In a decision handed down on Monday, the 1st Appellate District in the Court … Appeals court rejects Bayer bid to overturn Roundup trial loss; cites Monsanto “reckless disregard” for consumer safety

Bayer heads into next U.S. cancer trial, opening statements set for Thursday

Carey Gillam | August 4, 2021

Despite Bayer AG’s efforts to put an end to costly litigation inherited in its acquisition of Monsanto, opening statements in yet another trial are set for Thursday as a woman suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma claims Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide caused her cancer. A jury of seven men and five women have been seated in the case … Bayer heads into next U.S. cancer trial, opening statements set for Thursday

New Roundup cancer trial starting in California

Carey Gillam | July 26, 2021

Lawyers representing a woman suffering from cancer are prepared to face off against Monsanto and its German owner Bayer AG in a California courtroom on Monday in what is set as the fourth trial over allegations Monsanto’s popular Roundup weed killers cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Jury selection in the case of Donnetta Stephens v. Monsanto … New Roundup cancer trial starting in California

Bayer gets lift in pre-trial ruling ahead of Roundup cancer trial

Carey Gillam | July 19, 2021

A California judge gave Monsanto and its German owner Bayer AG a pre-trial boost in a ruling issued Monday, a week before the scheduled start of a new courtroom challenge to the safety of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides. Judge Gilbert Ochoa of the Superior Court of San Bernardino County in California agreed with Monsanto that federal … Bayer gets lift in pre-trial ruling ahead of Roundup cancer trial

New study examines Roundup herbicide impact on honeybees

Carey Gillam | January 25, 2021

A group of Chinese researchers has found evidence that commercial glyphosate-based herbicide products are harmful to honeybees at or below recommended concentrations. In a paper published in the online journal Scientific Reports , researchers affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing and the Chinese Bureau of Landscape and Forestry, said they found … New study examines Roundup herbicide impact on honeybees

Elderly woman to take on Monsanto in next trial over cancer claims

Carey Gillam | June 9, 2021

An elderly California woman who was a regular user of Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer for more than 30 years is set as the next person to try to prove that exposure to the chemical causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a claim already won by plaintiffs in three previous trials. The case of Donnetta Stephens v. Monsanto is … Elderly woman to take on Monsanto in next trial over cancer claims

Judge shoots down Bayer’s plan to limit future Roundup legal liability, issues harsh criticism

Carey Gillam | May 26, 2021

(UPDATED May 27 with Bayer statement about new plans) The federal judge overseeing nationwide Roundup litigation on Wednesday denied Bayer’s latest attempt to limit its legal liability from future cancer claims associated with its glyphosate-based herbicides, citing numerous “glaring flaws” in a settlement proposed to apply to Roundup users who have not yet sued the … Judge shoots down Bayer’s plan to limit future Roundup legal liability, issues harsh criticism

Another loss for Bayer over Roundup cancer claims as appeals court shoots down preemption argument

Carey Gillam | May 14, 2021

In a blow to Monsanto owner Bayer AG’s bid to block continued liability over Roundup cancer litigation, a federal appeals court shot down the company’s argument that federal regulatory backing of the company’s herbicides preempts claims made by cancer patient Edwin Hardeman. In a ruling issued Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth … Another loss for Bayer over Roundup cancer claims as appeals court shoots down preemption argument

Trial lawyers accuse Monsanto, Bayer of “pay-to-appeal scheme,” allege “fraud”

Carey Gillam | April 23, 2021

The lawyers who led the nationwide U.S. Roundup litigation through three trial victories and forced Monsanto owner Bayer AG into an $11 billion settlement have notified a federal court that they have uncovered evidence of fraud in a secret deal between Monsanto and a lone plaintiff’s lawyer who has not been active in the litigation … Trial lawyers accuse Monsanto, Bayer of “pay-to-appeal scheme,” allege “fraud”

Another Roundup study finds links to potential human health problems

Carey Gillam | February 15, 2021

(Updated February 17, adding criticism of study) A new scientific paper examining the potential health impacts of Roundup herbicides found links between exposure to the weed killing chemical glyphosate and an increase in a type of amino acid known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The researchers made their determinations after exposing pregnant … Another Roundup study finds links to potential human health problems

New Roundup cancer trials loom despite Bayer settlement efforts

Carey Gillam | April 1, 2021

Ken Moll is girding for battle. Moll, a Chicago-based personal injury attorney, has dozens of lawsuits pending against the former Monsanto Co., all alleging the company’s Roundup weed killers cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and he is now preparing several of those cases for trial. Moll’s firm is one of a handful that have refused settlement offers … New Roundup cancer trials loom despite Bayer settlement efforts

Roundup cancer trials still a threat to Bayer, but settlement talks progressing

Carey Gillam | September 24, 2020

Lawyers for Monsanto owner Bayer AG and for plaintiffs suing Monsanto told a federal judge on Thursday that they were continuing to make progress in settling sweeping nationwide litigation brought by people who claim Monsanto’s Roundup caused them to develop cancer. In a video hearing, Bayer lawyer William Hoffman told U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria … Roundup cancer trials still a threat to Bayer, but settlement talks progressing

EPA thumbs nose at court order, says farmers can still use illegal dicamba herbicides

Carey Gillam | June 9, 2020

(UPDATES with comment from BASF) The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday declared it would not immediately honor a court ruling handed down last week that banned certain herbicides made by three of the world’s largest chemical companies. The move by the EPA amounts to a generous gift to BASF, Bayer and Corteva Agrisciences whose dicamba … EPA thumbs nose at court order, says farmers can still use illegal dicamba herbicides

Monsanto Ordered to Pay $2 Billion to Cancer Victims

Carey Gillam | May 13, 2019

After less than two full days of deliberations, a California jury ordered Monsanto to pay just over $2 billion in punitive and compensatory damages to a married couple who both developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma they say was caused by their many years of using Roundup products. After listening to 17 days of trial testimony, jurors said … Monsanto Ordered to Pay $2 Billion to Cancer Victims

Former Monsanto CEO Ordered to Testify at Roundup Cancer Trial

Carey Gillam | December 7, 2019

Former Monsanto Chairman and CEO Hugh Grant will have to testify in person at a St. Louis-area trial set for January in litigation brought by a cancer-stricken woman who claims her disease was caused by exposure to the company’s Roundup herbicide and that Monsanto covered up the risks instead of warning consumers. Grant, who led … Former Monsanto CEO Ordered to Testify at Roundup Cancer Trial

Panicked chemical giants seek leeway in court ban on their weed killers

Carey Gillam | June 15, 2020

Citing an “emergency,” chemical giants BASF and DuPont have asked a federal court to allow them to intervene in a case in which the court earlier this month ordered their dicamba herbicides to be immediately banned along with a dicamba product made by Monsanto owner Bayer AG. The action by the chemical companies follows a … Panicked chemical giants seek leeway in court ban on their weed killers

Bayer asks appeals court to again cut Roundup damage award owed to California groundskeeper with cancer

Carey Gillam | August 5, 2020

Bayer is asking a California appeals court to trim $4 million from the amount of money it owes a California groundskeeper struggling to survive cancer that a trial court found was caused by the man’s exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides. In a “petition for rehearing” filed Monday with the Court of Appeal for the First … Bayer asks appeals court to again cut Roundup damage award owed to California groundskeeper with cancer

Roundup cancer plaintiffs eagerly await settlement news

Carey Gillam | June 11, 2020

Thousands of cancer patients and their families around the United States were notified this week that a comprehensive settlement of their claims against the former Monsanto Co. should be announced before the end of the month. Though specific settlement amounts for specific plaintiffs are still to be determined, groups of plaintiffs have been told to … Roundup cancer plaintiffs eagerly await settlement news

As Roundup cancer lawsuits surge, Monsanto fights to keep PR work secret

Carey Gillam | October 30, 2019

As Monsanto continues to battle legal claims over alleged dangers of its widely used Roundup herbicides, the company is trying to block orders to turn over internal records about its work with public relations and strategic consulting contractors. In a series of filings in St. Louis Circuit Court, Monsanto argues that it should not have … As Roundup cancer lawsuits surge, Monsanto fights to keep PR work secret

St. Louis Roundup cancer trial reset for Wednesday as California trial called off

Carey Gillam | January 31, 2020

The drama continues in the closely watched battle between lawyers defending the former Monsanto Co. and those representing thousands of cancer victims who claim exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide gave them or a family member non-Hodgkin lymphoma. On Friday, a California trial was officially postponed after more than a week of jury selection activities and … St. Louis Roundup cancer trial reset for Wednesday as California trial called off

Bayer inks deals with three Roundup cancer law firms as settlement progresses

Carey Gillam | September 15, 2020

Bayer AG has reached final settlement terms with three major law firms representing thousands of plaintiffs who claim exposure to Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicides caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The new deals have been made with California-based Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman law firm; the Andrus Wagstaff firm from Colorado; and the Moore Law Group … Bayer inks deals with three Roundup cancer law firms as settlement progresses

Bayer’s plan for settling future Roundup cancer claims faces broad opposition

Carey Gillam | February 26, 2021

Dozens of U.S. law firms have formed a coalition to fight a new $2 billion settlement proposal by Monsanto owner Bayer AG that aims to contain the company’s ongoing liability related to claims that Roundup herbicides cause a type of cancer known as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The settlement is designed to compensate people who have … Bayer’s plan for settling future Roundup cancer claims faces broad opposition

Some U.S. Roundup plaintiffs balk at signing Bayer settlement deals; $160,000 average payout eyed

Carey Gillam | July 30, 2020

Plaintiffs in the U.S. Roundup litigation are starting to learn the details of what Bayer AG’s $10 billion settlement of cancer claims actually means for them individually, and some are not liking what they see. Bayer said in late June it had negotiated settlements with several major plaintiffs’ law firms in a deal that would … Some U.S. Roundup plaintiffs balk at signing Bayer settlement deals; $160,000 average payout eyed

Bayer’s bid to settle U.S. Roundup cancer claims making progress

Carey Gillam | December 1, 2020

Monsanto owner Bayer AG is making progress toward a sweeping settlement of thousands of U.S. lawsuits brought by people alleging they or their loved ones developed cancer after exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides. Recent correspondence from plaintiffs’ lawyers to their clients underscored that progress, confirming a large percentage of plaintiffs are opting to participate in … Bayer’s bid to settle U.S. Roundup cancer claims making progress

A death and a settlement as Bayer continues trying to end Roundup litigation

Carey Gillam | January 13, 2021

Seven months after Bayer AG announced plans for a sweeping settlement of U.S. Roundup cancer litigation, the German owner of Monsanto Co. continues to work to settle tens of thousands of claims brought by people suffering from cancer they say was caused by Monsanto’s weed killing products. On Wednesday, one more case appeared to find … A death and a settlement as Bayer continues trying to end Roundup litigation

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

Weed Killer Residues Found in 98 Percent of Canadian Honey Samples

Susan Lang | March 22, 2019

Study is the latest evidence that glyphosate herbicides are so pervasive that residues can be found in foods not produced by farmers using glyphosate. This article was originally published in Environmental Health News. By Carey Gillam As U.S. regulators continue to dance around the issue of testing foods for residues of glyphosate weed killers, government … Weed Killer Residues Found in 98 Percent of Canadian Honey Samples

Read the emails, texts that show EPA efforts to slow ATSDR glyphosate review

Stacy Malkan | April 16, 2019

Update: The ATSDR published their draft toxicological profile for glyphosate in April 2019. See coverage: ATSDR Report Confirms Glyphosate Cancer Risks, NRDC (4.11.2019); Some Links to Cancer Shown in Draft Review of Common Pesticide, Bloomberg (4.8.2019); Emails Show Monsanto Cozy with Feds, Courthouse News (4.15.2019). This article by Carey Gillam was originally published in Huffington … Read the emails, texts that show EPA efforts to slow ATSDR glyphosate review

NYC Leaders Join Calls for Ban on Monsanto Herbicide

Susan Lang | April 18, 2019

This article was originally published in Environmental Health News . “Parks should be for playing not pesticides” By Carey Gillam Two New York City council members introduced legislation today that would ban city agencies from spraying glyphosate-based herbicides and other toxic pesticides in parks and other public spaces. The move is the latest in a … NYC Leaders Join Calls for Ban on Monsanto Herbicide

White House Has “Monsanto’s Back on Pesticides,” Newly Revealed Document Says

Carey Gillam | May 7, 2019

Internal Monsanto records just filed in court show that a corporate intelligence group hired to “to take the temperature on current regulatory attitudes for glyphosate” reported that the White House could be counted on to defend the company’s Roundup herbicides. In a report attached to a July 2018 email to Monsanto global strategy official Todd … White House Has “Monsanto’s Back on Pesticides,” Newly Revealed Document Says

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

Get our newsletter | Weekly updates in your inbox

It's Your Right to Know