Court Verdict: Bayer's Monsanto Faces $185 Million Reinstated Judgment

The Washington state Supreme Court has reinstated a $185 million verdict against Bayer's subsidiary, Monsanto, reviving claims over polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contamination at a Washington school. Previously vacated, the verdict addresses accusations by Sky Valley Education Center teachers who reported illnesses due to exposure.

Monsanto has been entangled in multiple lawsuits regarding PCB and Roundup pesticide claims, despite denying these allegations. PCBs were manufactured until 1977, three years before the U.S. banned them due to health risks. Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, argued insufficient evidence links PCBs to the plaintiffs' ailments.

The court ruling could impact ongoing appeals. While Monsanto reviews its legal avenues, the decision underscores accountability for toxic chemical risks. Previous settlements have resolved most claims, leaving nine cases, including the teachers' lawsuit, pending appeal.