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Plaintiffs’ Attorneys Respond to Bayer’s Threat to Pull Roundup from Market

via Business Wire

Bayer, Monsanto aim to protect its revenue “no matter the cost to human life”

Attorneys representing thousands of cancer victims criticized Bayer today for what they describe as an attempt to pressure courts, lawmakers and the public by threatening to pull its popular Roundup weedkiller from the market amid ongoing litigation.

Video of the plaintiffs’ attorneys’ reactions is available here.

Speaking at Bayer’s annual shareholders meeting, CEO Bill Anderson warned that continued lawsuits could make it financially unsustainable for the company to continue selling Roundup. The plaintiffs’ attorneys say the company’s remarks are not an acceptance of responsibility, but a calculated threat aimed at protecting Bayer’s financial interests at the expense of public health and accountability.

“Bayer’s CEO is using the threat of pulling Roundup as a blackmail attempt, pressuring legislators and the public to protect Bayer’s profits rather than holding the company accountable for the injuries it has caused,” said Nachawati Law Group partner Erin Wood, whose Dallas-based firm represents more than 5,000 cancer victims against the manufacturers. “This is a multibillion-dollar corporation doing everything it can to protect its revenue, no matter the cost to human life.”

The lawyers say Bayer’s multi-pronged strategy includes:

  • Pushing for federal preemption: earlier this month, Monsanto filed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that federal pesticide regulations preempt state law failure-to-warn claims, which would severely limit victims' ability to sue for injuries caused by Roundup.
  • State-level immunity legislation: Bayer and Monsanto are supporting bills in several states that would give pesticide companies immunity from lawsuits. These bills would block individuals harmed by pesticides, including cancer victims, from seeking compensation.
  • Selective settlements: even as Bayer warns publicly about the financial pressure of litigation, it continues to settle some cases while pursuing strategies to limit its overall liability.

According to trial evidence, Monsanto has long downplayed known cancer risks associated with exposure to glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, while working behind the scenes to influence scientific research and avoid adding warning labels.

“The safety of American citizens is not for sale,” said firm founder Majed Nachawati. “Although we are aware of Bayer and Monsanto’s efforts to influence legislation to shield them from accountability, our firm will continue to fight tooth and nail in the legislature and in court to protect the legal rights of every citizen.”

Mr. Nachawati and his team have been a leading voice in opposing Monsanto’s efforts to sidestep accountability for thousands of cancer claims tied to Roundup.

To date, Bayer has reportedly spent more than $10 billion to settle thousands of cancer claims. Despite repeated efforts to limit its liability, the company continues to face ongoing litigation, has secured shareholder approval for a potential capital raise to cover legal costs and has made a third request for intervention by the U.S. Supreme Court.

About Nachawati Law Group

Nachawati Law Group represents individuals in mass tort litigation, businesses and governmental entities in contingent litigation and individual victims in complex personal injury litigation. For more information, visit https://ntrial.com

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