Bayer Loses Monsanto Weedkiller Lawsuit at French Top Court (1)

Bayer AG’s Monsanto, already on the hook for multibillion-dollar claims over the Roundup weedkiller, lost a ruling at France’s top court in a case filed by a farmer exposed to another herbicide.

The Cour de Cassation ruled Wednesday that Monsanto is responsible for injuries Paul Francois suffered after breathing fumes from Monsanto’s now-banned Lasso weedkiller. Bayer bought the U.S. company for $63 billion in 2018.

The ruling means Monsanto’s responsibility has now been recognized “once and for all” and paves the way for other claims, Francois Lafforgue, the farmer’s lawyer, said in a phone interview. “It creates an opening ...