In Monsanto, Bayer Investors Inherit Hard-to-Predict Risk
- After $289 million verdict, ‘word is out’ plaintiffs can win
- Analysts say agrochemical giant’s appeal will probably prevail
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Bayer AG investors can take heart that a $289 million verdict against its newly acquired Monsanto unit will be challenged on appeal, but they’re not wrong to dread thousands more lawsuits alleging that the company’s popular Roundup herbicide causes cancer.
Some financial analysts predicted the Aug. 10 jury award in San Francisco will be knocked down or wiped out entirely, while legal experts warned of more uncertainty ahead. More than 5,000 U.S. residents have joined similar lawsuits against Monsanto -- and the lawyer who won the trial said an equal number are poised to file new claims.