A California jury ordered Monsanto to pay a married couple punitive and compensatory damages of $2 billion after they were both diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The cancer was allegedly caused by years of exposure to Roundup products.
As reported by the U.S. Right to Know, jurors listened to 17 days of trial testimony. Alberta Pilliod and Alva Pilliod were the plaintiffs for the case. The couple started using Roundup in the 1970’s and continued to do so until only a few years ago. Alva was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that spread to his bones, pelvis, and spine in 2011. Four year later, Alberta was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma brain cancer.
In order to cover their compensatory damages, the jury awarded the couple a total of $55 million. This will go toward past and future medical bills and other losses. Additionally, the jury found that Monsanto, “engaged in conduct with malice, oppression, or fraud.” As a result, the couple was awarded with punitive damages of $2 billion.
The totals can be broken down by person. Alva was awarded $47,296.01 for past economic expenses, $8 million for past non-economic costs, $10 million for future non-economic losses, and $1 billion in punitive damages. Alberta was awarded $201,166.76 for past economic expenses, $8 million for past non-economic losses, $2,957,710 for future economic costs, $26 million for future non-economic expenses, and $1 billion in punitive damages.
This was the third Roundup cancer case to go to trial. It is also the third to conclude that glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup products, can cause cancer. Monsanto has been charged with knowing about the risks and covering them up.
In March 2019, a jury in San Francisco ordered the pesticide company to pay approximately $80 million in damages for failing to warn the plaintiff, Edwin Hardeman, of the cancer risks. Similarly, in August 2018, jurors awarded groundskeeper, Dewayne “Lee” Johnson, $289 million because of his terminally ill cancer caused by glyphosate. The judge lowered the verdict to $78 million and there is an ongoing appeal.
Currently, more than 13,000 individuals have filed similar lawsuits regarding exposure to glyphosate causing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Attorneys presiding over these cases have presented scientific evidence that proves Roundup causes cancer and Monsanto hid the risks. Some of that evidence includes the following:
- Monsanto never conducted the proper studies to evaluate cancer risks.
- Monsanto was aware the surfactants in their products were more toxic than glyphosate alone.
- Millions of dollars were spent to produce ghostwritten studies and articles discrediting the dangers.
- Monsanto had close relationships with officials from the Environmental Protection Agency who have backed assertions regarding safety.
- The company’s workers were required to wear protective gear, but the public was not encouraged to do the same.
At this time, several more trials are scheduled to take place in the upcoming year. If you believe you’ve received a cancer diagnosis related to glyphosate, you can file a Roundup weed killer lawsuit. Our attorneys will work with you to ensure Monsanto is held accountable for their negligence. Contact us today to learn more.
