Alva and Alberta Pilliod, both suffering from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after years of using Roundup, filed a complaint against Monsanto. This is the first case that has be heard in the Roundup Judicial Council Coordination Proceedings (JCCP NO. 4953), which includes many of the cases brought before the courts of the State of California. The trial began on 28/3/2019 in Alameda County
Superior Court (Oakland). On May 13, 2019, Monsanto was ordered to pay $2 billion in compensatory and punitive damages to the Pilliod couple. This is the third trial in the United States in less than a year in which the glyphosate-based herbicide is found responsible for the plaintiffs' NHL and Monsanto's found guilty. Monsanto/Bayer files a motion for JNoV on 6/18/2019, which is denied. On 7/25/2019, the judge reduces Monsanto's damages (mainly punitive) from $2 billion to $69.3 million, but confirms that Roundup was the probable cause of the Pilliods' disease and that the company has acted with malice. On Feb. 7, 2020, Bayer/Monsanto appeals the decision. On 7/31/2020, the Pilliods couple cross-appeal, seeking $575 million in damages. On June 22, 2021, California appellate judge J. Anthony Kline said he was seriously considering tossing Monsanto’s appeal due to what he called the agrochemical company’s “distortion of facts". On Aug. 9, 2021, the court of appeal of California affirms, citing Monsanto “reckless disregard” for consumer safety. On Sept. 20, 2021, Bayer's petition for review is filed at the California Supreme Court. On Nov. 17, 2021, the CA Supreme Court denies the petition for review. On March 21, 2022, Bayer asks the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case. The company says the lawsuits should be dismissed because federal regulators consider the weedkiller safe. It says also that it is unconstitutional to award punitive damages that far outweigh compensatory damages. On June 27, 2022, the Supreme Court rejected Monsanto/Bayer's request for reconsideration and ordered them to pay $87 million to the victims (21-1272).