GA jury awards nearly $2.1 billion verdict to man who says Roundup weedkiller caused his cancer
The verdict marks the latest in a long-running series of court battles Monsanto has faced over its Roundup herbicide. The agrochemical giant says it will appeal the verdict, reached in a Georgia courtroom late Friday, in efforts to overturn the decision.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
The penalties awarded include $65 million in compensatory damages and $2 billion in punitive damages, law firms Arnold & Itkin LLP and Kline & Specter PC said in a statement. That marks one of the largest legal settlements reached in a Roundup-related case to date.
Plaintiff John Barnes filed his lawsuit against Monsanto in 2021, seeking damages related to his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Arnold & Itkin attorney Kyle Findley, the lead trial lawyer on the case, said the verdict will help put his client in a better position to get the treatment he needs going forward.
'It's been a long road for him ... and he was happy that the truth related to the product (has) been exposed,' Findley told The Associated Press on Sunday. He called the verdict an 'important milestone' after 'another example of Monsanto's refusal to accept responsibility for poisoning people with this toxic product.'
Germany-based Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, has continued to dispute claims that Roundup causes cancer. But the company has been hit with more than 177,000 lawsuits involving the weedkiller and set aside $16 billion to settle cases.
In a statement, Monsanto said Friday's verdict 'conflicts with the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence and the consensus of regulatory bodies and their scientific assessments worldwide.' The company added that it continues 'to stand fully behind the safety' of Roundup products.
TRENDING STORIES:
Wildfire contained after threatening dozens of homes in Floyd County
Tucker man says his truck was stolen while he was just feet away at a restaurant
17-year-old arrested after shootout leaves teen dead in DeKalb County
For a variety of crops — including corn, soybeans and cotton — Roundup is designed to work with genetically modified seeds that resist the weedkiller's deadly effect. It allows farmers to produce more while conserving the soil by tilling it less.
Some studies associate Roundup's key ingredient, glyphosate, with cancer, although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said it is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans when used as directed. Still, numerous lawsuits over the weedkiller allege glyphosate does cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma, arguing that Monsanto has failed to warn the public about serious risks for years.
Findley said that evidence relating to Barnes' case show 'many years of cover-ups' and 'backroom dealings.' He accused Monsanto of ignoring several scientific studies related to the toxicity of Roundup and said the company 'tried to find ways to persuade and distract and deny the connection between this product and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.'
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Friday's decision marks the fourth Roundup-related verdict that Findley's team has won to date — the largest of which was awarded in Philadelphia in January 2024, with damages totaling $2.25 billion. And he said his law firm has 'many more clients who are similarly situated as Mr. Barnes.'
Monsanto, meanwhile, also maintains that it 'remains committed to trying cases' — and argues its wider record of Roundup-related litigation continues to reinforce the safety of its products. The company said it has prevailed in 17 of the last 25 related trials, while some previous damage awards have been reduced.
Bayer has recently renewed and expanded an effort across a handful of U.S. states to protect pesticide companies from claims they failed to warn that a product causes cancer, if labeling otherwise complies with EPA regulations. The company and other industry supports argue that litigation costs are unstainable and could impact Roundup's future availability. But opponents stress that such legislation would limit accountability.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Health Canada grants marketing authorization for an additional indication of Bayer's NUBEQA® (darolutamide) for the treatment of metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC)
Today's marketing authorization is based on recent results from the Phase III ARANOTE trial and broadens the indication profile of darolutamide in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), enabling its use in combination with ADT, with or without chemotherapy (docetaxel) MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 21, 2025 /CNW/ - Bayer Inc. is pleased to announce that Health Canada has granted marketing authorization for its oral androgen receptor inhibitor (ARi) NUBEQA® (darolutamide)1 for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). This marketing authorization is based on results from the pivotal2 Phase III ARANOTE trial, which showed that darolutamide plus ADT reduced the risk of radiological progression or death by 46% compared to placebo plus ADT (HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.41–0.71; P<0.0001) in patients with mCSPC. With this additional marketing authorization, darolutamide plus ADT is the first and only ARi indicated in Canada for the treatment of adult patients with mCSPC, either with or without docetaxel. In addition, darolutamide is approved for the treatment of adult patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC), who are at high risk of developing metastatic disease. "This latest authorization reaffirms NUBEQA's role as a therapy for men with prostate cancer," said Shurjeel Choudhri, Senior Vice President and Head of Medical and Scientific Affairs for Bayer Canada. "We extend our thanks to the scientists, doctors, patients, and their families for their contributions that allowed us to offer this new treatment option for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer." "Clinical data from the ARANOTE trial showed that darolutamide is both efficacious and well tolerated as a combination therapy with androgen-deprivation therapy," said Fred Saad, M.D., Professor and Chairman of Surgery and Director of Genitourinary Oncology at the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CHUM), and Principal Investigator of the ARANOTE trial. "Today's approval further expands options for how physicians can use Nubeqa in the treatment of mCSPC, giving them greater flexibility in choosing treatment plans for their patients." In Canada, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men, with an incidence rate of 119.7 cases per 100,000 men annually.3 Among those who are diagnosed, there is a portion of patients who will present with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), which may occur either de novo (newly diagnosed with metastatic disease) or as metachronous (recurrent disease following treatment for localized prostate cancer). In Canada, approximately 8.6% of all new prostate cancer cases are diagnosed as de novo mCSPC.4 Prognosis varies by disease stage, and while overall survival for prostate cancer is high, the 5-year net survival rate for patients with stage IV metastatic prostate cancer is approximately 41%, highlighting the need for optimized treatment strategies in this population. ² "Prostate cancer continues to have a significant impact on men and their families in Canada, with incidence and mortality rates that remain unacceptably high," said Dr. Stuart Edmonds, Executive Vice President for Mission, Research and Advocacy at the Canadian Cancer Society. "Bringing more treatments to patients faster offers new hope, greater choice, and the potential for improved outcomes." Darolutamide is developed jointly by Bayer and Orion Corporation, a globally operating Finnish pharmaceutical company. About the ARANOTE TrialThe ARANOTE trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III study designed to assess the efficacy and safety of darolutamide plus ADT in patients with mCSPC. 669 patients were randomized 2:1 to receive 600 mg of darolutamide twice daily or matching placebo in addition to ADT. The primary endpoint of this study is rPFS (radiographic progression-free survival), measured as time from randomization to date of first documented radiological progressive disease or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. Secondary endpoints include overall survival (time to death from any cause), time to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, time to initiation of subsequent systemic anti-cancer therapy, time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression, PSA undetectable rates, time to pain progression, and safety assessments. Results from the Phase III ARANOTE trial were presented at ESMO 2024 and published in The Journal of Clinical Oncology. About Bayer Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, "Health for all, Hunger for none," the company's products and services are designed to help people, and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2024, the Group employed around 93,000 people and had sales of 46.6 billion euros. R&D expenses amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to References: Nubeqa® Canadian Product Monograph Journal of Clinical Oncology: Darolutamide in Combination With Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Patients With Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer From the Phase III ARANOTE Trialhttps:// Canadian Cancer Statistics Advisory Committee. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2023. Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Cancer Society; 2023. Canadian Cancer Society. Survival statistics for prostate cancer. 2021; Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. ___________________ 1 Nubeqa® Canadian Product Monograph 2 Journal of Clinical Oncology: Darolutamide in Combination With Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Patients With Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer From the Phase III ARANOTE Trial 3 Canadian Cancer Statistics Advisory Committee. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2023. Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Cancer Society;2023. 4 Canadian Cancer Society. Survival statistics for prostate cancer. 2021; SOURCE Bayer Inc. View original content to download multimedia:
Business Wire
13 minutes ago
- Business Wire
Strategic Financial Management Affiliates with Osaic, Joining Undefined Gridlines, Inc.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Osaic, Inc. ('Osaic'), one of the nation's largest providers of wealth management strategies, today announced that Strategic Financial Management ('StrategicFM'), has joined Undefined Gridlines, Inc. ('UGLI'), an office of supervisory jurisdiction (OSJ) under Osaic. The Greeley, Colorado-based wealth management firm oversees $133 million in assets under administration (AUA). 'As I look toward the future, I want to ensure that my clients are set up for a successful retirement as I begin to prepare for my own,' Cook said. 'UGLI and Osaic give me the resources to serve my clients today and the continuity support for tomorrow.' Share Led by President Randee Cook, CFP ®, StrategicFM delivers comprehensive wealth, retirement and estate planning. Cook is both a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ® and a senior portfolio manager, blending the specialties to craft tailored financial plans for her clients with bespoke portfolio construction. She chose UGLI to gain the tools, resources and technology to boost efficiency and enhance high-touch client service. 'As I look toward the future, I want to ensure that my clients are set up for a successful retirement as I begin to prepare for my own,' Cook said. 'UGLI and Osaic give me the resources to serve my clients today and the continuity support for tomorrow.' After 35 years at LPL Financial, Cook began exploring new partners to prepare for her business' future. She interviewed five potential partners before selecting UGLI, founded by husband-and-wife team, David and Tina Thiele. Joining her in the move to UGLI are StrategicFM's relationship manager Noah Clement and operations director Debra Pratt. 'Randee's decades of service and commitment to her clients perfectly align with the values UGLI was built for,' said David and Tina Thiele. 'We're excited to support her in her next chapter, as she prepares her clients and business for long-term success.' 'Our platform is built to help advisors grow and plan for their own future,' said Kristen Kimmell, executive vice president of business development at Osaic. 'We look forward to supporting Randee as she continues to build upon her legacy of providing comprehensive wealth planning.' StrategicFM is the latest in a recent series of affiliation announcements for Osaic, including Bowman Financial Solutions, Payne Financial Consultants and Providence Wealth Planning — all of which joined from LPL Financial. For more information about Osaic, visit About Osaic: Osaic, Inc. ('Osaic'), a portfolio company of Reverence Capital Partners, is one of the nation's largest providers of wealth management strategies, supporting approximately 11,000 financial professionals. Osaic's mission is to empower entrepreneurial advisors to build thriving businesses and fulfill their clients' dreams. Visit to learn more. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through the firms: Osaic Wealth, Inc. and Osaic Institutions, Inc., broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, and members of FINRA and SIPC. Securities are offered through Osaic Services, Inc. and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., broker-dealers and members of FINRA and SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Inc., Osaic Advisory Services, LLC. and CW Advisors, LLC., registered investment advisers. Advisory programs offered by Osaic Wealth, Inc. are sponsored by VISION2020 Wealth Management Corp., an affiliated registered investment adviser.
Fast Company
13 minutes ago
- Fast Company
A Nord Stream pipeline blast suspect is arrested in Italy
A Ukrainian citizen man suspected to be one of the coordinators of the undersea explosions in 2022 that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany has been arrested, German prosecutors said Thursday. The suspect, identified only as Serhii K. in line with German privacy rules, was arrested overnight by officers from a police station in Misano Adriatrico, near the Italian city of Rimini, federal prosecutors said. Explosions on Sept. 26, 2022, damaged the pipelines, which were built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea. The damage added to tensions over the war in Ukraine as European countries moved to wean themselves off Russian energy sources, following the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Investigators have been largely tightlipped on their investigation, but said two years ago they found traces of undersea explosives in samples taken from a yacht that was searched as part of the probe. In a statement Thursday, prosecutors said Serhii K. was one of a group of people who placed explosives on the pipelines and is believed to have been one of the coordinators. They said he is suspected of causing explosions, anti-constitutional sabotage and the destruction of structures. He was arrested on a European arrest warrant that was issued on Monday. The suspect and others used a yacht that set off from the German port of Rostock, which had been hired from a German company using forged IDs and with the help of intermediaries, prosecutors said. They didn't give any information on the other people aboard the yacht or say anything about who else might have been involved in coordinating the suspected sabotage, or about a possible motive. German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig praised what she called 'a very impressive investigative success.' She said in a statement that the explosions must be cleared up, 'so it is good that we are making progress.' The explosions ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which was Russia's main natural gas supply route to Germany until Moscow cut off supplies at the end of August 2022. They also damaged the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which never entered service because Germany suspended its certification process shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in February of that year. Russia has accused the U.S. of staging the explosions, a charge Washington has denied. The pipelines were long a target of criticism by the U.S. and some of its allies, who warned that they posed a risk to Europe's energy security by increasing dependence on Russian gas. In 2023, German media reported that a pro-Ukraine group was involved in the sabotage. Ukraine rejected suggestions it might have ordered the attack and German officials voiced caution over the accusation. German prosecutors didn't say when they expect Serhii K. to be handed over to German authorities. Swedish and Danish authorities closed their investigations in February 2024, leaving the German prosecutors' case as the sole probe.
