Will Federal Pesticide Law Override Jury Findings? Supreme Court Reviews Durnell

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court’s agreed to take up Monsanto’s appeal of a $1.2M jury verdict. The Court’s decision could reshape the ability of injured consumers to hold chemical manufacturers accountable.

The case began in Missouri, where Mr. Durnell alleged that long‑term use of Roundup® caused his cancer. After hearing expert testimony and scientific evidence, a Missouri state‑court jury awarded him $1.2 million. Monsanto appealed, but the Missouri Court of Appeals upheld the verdict and rejected the company’s argument that federal pesticide law preempted the plaintiff’s claims. When the Missouri Supreme Court declined Monsanto’s application for transfer from the Missouri Court of Appeals, Monsanto petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court.

The central question is whether the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) preempts state‑law failure‑to‑warn claims when the Environmental Protection Agency has approved a pesticide label that contains no cancer warning.

This is a pivotal issue affecting thousands of similar claims nationwide. If state tort law is preempted whenever EPA approves a label, many injured individuals could lose the ability to seek relief. We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on how the ruling may affect toxic‑tort victims nationwide.

The case is Monsanto Company v. Durnell, Docket No. 24-1068.