Washington Supreme Court Reinstates $185 Million Verdict Against Monsanto

The Washington Supreme Court has reinstated a $185 million jury verdict against Monsanto, reviving claims brought by three teachers at Sky Valley Education Center in Monroe, Washington. The teachers and more than 200 students, employees, and parents alleged they developed cancer and other serious health problems due to exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) leaking from the school’s light fixtures—chemicals manufactured by Monsanto, which Bayer acquired in 2018.

The Supreme Court reversed a lower appellate court’s decision that had vacated the verdict, finding that Missouri law—where Monsanto made key decisions about PCBs—should apply to issues of punitive damages and the statute of repose. This ruling allowed the teachers’ claims to proceed and upheld the punitive damages awarded. The decision may affect other pending appeals, as most related claims have been settled except for nine cases still on appeal.

Rick Friedman, one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs, stated: “This ruling sends a clear message: companies that conceal the risks of toxic chemicals must be held accountable.” Monsanto, meanwhile, criticized the decision and said it is considering its legal options.

PCBs were widely used in electrical equipment and building materials until they were banned by the U.S. government in 1979 due to links to cancer and other health risks. Plaintiffs claim Monsanto knew of these dangers for decades but concealed them from regulators and the public. Bayer has argued that the levels found in the school were within limits deemed safe by the EPA and that the school ignored warnings to retrofit aging fixtures.

This Supreme Court decision not only reinstates the $185 million verdict but also sets a precedent for how courts may apply state law in complex product liability cases involving hazardous substances and corporate accountability. Read the full opinion here: (Erickson Decision).

To see media reports click below:

1. 1. $185M verdict for toxic lights in WA school upheld by state’s high court | The Seattle Times
   2. Rick Friedman’s interview with Fox13 News
   3. Wash. Justices Reinstate $185M Monsanto PCB Verdict – Law360
   4. Bayer’s Monsanto Must Pay $185 Million After State Supreme Court Restores Chemical Leak Verdict | NTD
   5. $185M verdict for toxic lights in WA school upheld by state’s high court – Spokesman-Review
   6. Washington Supreme Court restores $185 million verdict for teachers allegedly poisoned by Monsanto-made PCBs – The New Lede
   7. $185 million verdict restored against Bayer unit – Business Insurance
   8. How a $185 Million Ruling Impacts Monsanto’s Future in Washington