Roundup, a popular weedkiller, has been associated with cancer and other medical conditions, leading to an increase in lawsuits filed against its manufacturer, Monsanto, in recent years. There have been lawsuits filed everywhere, from Europe to Australia to South America. They are not unique to the United States.
Concerns regarding the safety of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, and the importance of business responsibility in the face of overwhelming evidence of harm are raised by the increasing number and worldwide scope of Roundup litigation.
This article explores the environmental effects of Roundup cases around the world.
Roundup: A Brief History
Glyphosate is the primary ingredient in Roundup, the most widely used and lucrative weed killer in history. Most grasses and broadleaf plants are killed by glyphosate. Instead of selectively eliminating specific weeds or plants, it destroys practically anything it comes into touch with.
The product was created by Monsanto, which is no longer in business. GMO seeds were developed by Monsanto to be resistant to Roundup because of the herbicide’s lethal effects. At this time, demand for Roundup in private homes surged.
But as time progressed, the scientific community doubted glyphosate’s safety. Research suggests that exposure to this substance could make people sick and damage the environment. According to the International Organization for Research on Cancer, glyphosate could be “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
In 2018, Bayer acquired Monsanto. By that time, thousands of lawsuits had been brought by consumers alleging that Roundup caused cancer. Non-lymphoma Hodgkin’s has been linked to Roundup more frequently than any other type of cancer. For the U.S. home Lawn & Garden market, Bayer has promised to begin transitioning away from glyphosate-based products in 2023.
Roundup Cancer Lawsuits
As of May 2022, Monsanto had paid out over $11 billion to resolve more than 100,000 Roundup cases. Thirty thousand legal cases are still in the works. Four thousand of these are part of the California MDL. Cases handled in an MDL setting are not the same as class action lawsuits. Instead, cases are consolidated so that specific concerns can be resolved for multiple pending cases at once in the courts rather than individually.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling in a Roundup Lawsuit in June 2022. The Ninth Circuit wrote that the EPA should rethink its finding that Roundup poses no significant risks to human health or the environment. In the same month, the Supreme Court also denied Bayer’s appeal in yet another Roundup case.
Anyone who has been adversely affected by Roundup should consult with attorneys who specialize in product liability cases to aid them through the legal process. When it comes to Roundup lawsuits, Torhoerman Law has been representing clients all throughout the country and winning massive verdicts and settlements for them.
Roundup Lawsuit Claims
Almost all of the cases filed against Monsanto and, later, Bayer have been resolved through settlements. However, in 2018, a jury ruled in favor of a California school groundskeeper who had used Roundup regularly for many years in one of the first instances to go to trial. His lawyers proved his cancer was the result of continuous exposure to glyphosate.
Although the jury did not conclude that the plaintiff’s cancer was caused by Roundup, it did conclude that Monsanto and Bayer failed to provide adequate warning to that effect. The jury said the plaintiff was entitled to roughly $300 million in damages because of the misstep.
Two other high-profile trials followed, both of which ended in large verdicts for plaintiffs alleging injuries from Roundup. One person we know of used Roundup for over 30 years. Although a jury found the plaintiff entitled to $2 billion in damages, the sum was later decreased by a court because it was deemed excessive.
Another person who used Roundup for gardening for almost twenty years and then got non-cancer Hodgkin’s sued Bayer. Only in punitive damages, the jury gave the defendant $75 million. In the end, this was lowered to $20 million.
Bayer has also had some legal victories. A California jury determined that the corporation was not at fault for a child’s Burkitt’s lymphoma diagnosis. The jury concluded that Roundup was not a major factor in the development of the child’s cancer.
The verdicts in these cases can shed light on the factors that jurors consider. If you want to sue, you’ll have to prove that your exposure to Roundup caused your cancer.
Is There Evidence That Roundup Causes Cancer?
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) view that there is no causal relationship is at odds with the findings of the International Agency for Research on Cancer. According to research conducted at the University of Washington, glyphosate exposure raises the risk of developing non-lymphoma Hodgkin’s by 41%.
Up to 80% of people may have detectable levels of Roundup in their urine, according to newly disclosed CDC data. It’s not unexpected that most people have been exposed to Roundup, given that it’s sprayed on U.S. crops at a rate of 200 million pounds each year.
Even a single exposure to Roundup may increase a person’s cancer risk. Hence, it’s important to check in with your doctor on a frequent basis.
When To File a Roundup Cancer Lawsuit
You may be able to sue Bayer if you used Roundup and then got non-lymphoma. Hodgkin’s Nonetheless, you shouldn’t waste too much time on it.
There is a time limit on filing a product liability lawsuit in every state, often between two and four years. Time begins to run either when you were given a diagnosis or when you first suspected a connection between Roundup and your condition, or when the connection between Roundup and your condition became generally known.
Can You Sue Your Employer if You Use Roundup at Work?
It’s crucial to analyze any and all potential sources of responsibility, not only Bayer and Roundup. You may have a case against your employer if you were required to use Roundup or another product containing glyphosate in the course of your job obligations.
If your job requires you to use Roundup, your employer is responsible for providing the necessary protective gear. This may involve the use of gloves, face masks, and other safeguards. You may be able to hold your company responsible for your cancer diagnosis if they haven’t given you the necessary safety equipment and/or training.
Legally, you have the right to pursue both this claim and the one you would make against Bayer. But remember that you are not allowed to double-dip. If your company offers you unemployment benefits, you will not be eligible for reimbursement from Bayer. If you make a claim for workers’ compensation, you may be barred from filing a separate action against Bayer for damages and may be limited to filing your claim in state court.
Key Takeaways
If you have seen cancer symptoms or have been diagnosed with cancer, your number one priority should be to get the appropriate medical care. It is crucial to investigate your legal rights if you believe your cancer may be related to your past or present use of Roundup.
The time and money spent on your care will be substantial. Go to a lawyer as soon as possible to start exploring your legal options and working toward getting the money you’re owed.
