The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that Bayer cannot be held liable under state laws for failing to warn about cancer risks on its Roundup weedkiller, because federal regulations do not require such a label. The decision reverses a Missouri court ruling that had awarded $1.25 million to John Durnell, who claimed Roundup caused his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The ruling is expected to effectively end roughly 65,000 unresolved lawsuits against Bayer, which has already paid about $11 billion in settlements and plans a $7.25 billion deal to settle remaining claims. Bayer's stock surged as much as 24% on the news, its biggest jump in over two decades. Opponents warn the decision could shield manufacturers of pesticides and other products from accountability under state tort law.
Bayer AG NASupreme Court ruling eliminates 65,000 Roundup lawsuits, removing major liability risk.