Monsanto Faces $857M Verdict in PCB Lawsuit at Monroe School

A King County jury has ordered Monsanto, now owned by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, to pay $857 million in damages to seven plaintiffs who claimed exposure to harmful chemicals, known as PCBs, at the Sky Valley Education Center in Monroe, Washington. The verdict includes $784 million in punitive damages and $73 million in compensatory damages. The plaintiffs, including students, parents, teachers, and staff, allege brain injuries and other health issues resulting from the exposure to PCBs that leaked from light fixtures at the school. This brings the total amount paid by Monsanto in similar cases to $1.74 billion, with 19 more cases awaiting trial. Monsanto plans to appeal the verdict.