Calif. Federal Judge Awards Monsanto Summary Judgment in Herbicide Exposure Case

SAN FRANCISCO — A California federal judge has awarded Monsanto Co. summary judgment in a chemical exposure case, noting the plaintiff failed to present expert testimony supporting his claims that the corporation’s herbicides caused his respiratory ailments.

On Oct. 15, Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California noted that the pro se plaintiff was given several opportunities to retain an expert and to submit expert testimony to defeat summary judgment.

Javier Alcala alleged that he incurred respiratory injuries as a result of being exposed to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides, which were sprayed by …