300+ Google Reviews
Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer has been one of the most popular herbicides on the market for decades. In recent years, however, the company has faced criticism due to claims that the active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, can cause cancer. Monsanto currently faces over 11,000 Roundup lawsuits.
If you believe you were harmed by long-term exposure to Roundup, you may have grounds for a product liability lawsuit. To discuss the merits of your claim, speak with a Rock Hill Roundup lawyer today.
History of Roundup
Created by Monsanto in 1973, Roundup weed killer has been the go-to herbicide for landscapers, weekend gardeners, and property owners for decades. While the herbicide is effective at removing weeds and other unwanted yard growth, there was another implication that the manufacturers did not advertise to the millions of consumers who used the product. Long-term exposure to Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate, may increase the risk of cancer.
As time progressed, a multitude of Roundup products began to hit the shelves. With Roundup Ready Seeds, essential crops like soybeans, corn, and wheat were genetically modified to be resistant to Roundup. Farmers could now spray the weed killer without worrying about any adverse side effects on their crops. However, farmers and agricultural workers were not warned of the potential dangers to themselves.
Roundup continued to grow in popularity, both industrially and commercially. Because its use was so widespread, glyphosate has been found in popular cereals like Cheerios and other products containing wheat, corn, or soybeans that were heavily treated with the herbicide. It has also appeared in water and soil samples.
In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer investigated the herbicide and found that glyphosate had the potential to be cancerous to humans. The most serious side effect of exposure to glyphosate seemed to be the development of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and B-cell lymphoma. Monsanto never disclosed the possibility of these serious life-threatening side-effects and continued to market the weed killer as a ‘safe’ herbicide, despite thousands of cases against the company.
Recent Litigation
The first court case against Monsanto and Bayer AG, which acquired the company in June of 2018, occurred before a California jury in August of 2018. The plaintiff, former school groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after decades of exposure to the herbicide in his profession. The jury awarded Johnson $39 million for past and future losses as well as an additional $250 million in punitive damage. The high payout was due to findings that Monsanto and Bayer AG failed to warn the public about the potential damages that the weed killer could have. The judge later reduced Johnson’s total award to $78 million.
A second court case began in March 2019. In the first phase of the trial, the jury found that Roundup was a considerable factor in causing plaintiff Edwin Hardeman’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After personally using the herbicide on his property for 30 years, Hardeman was diagnosed with this type of cancer. In the second phase of the trial, the jury awarded him $80 million.
Establishing a Claim
There are two main factors to consider if you wish to pursue a Roundup claim. First, you must have prolonged use of and/or exposure to the glyphosate-based herbicide. Typical cases involve groundskeepers, gardeners, landscapers, and farmers who consistently use Roundup in their daily work routine. Additionally, you must have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or another type of cancer. A Rock Hill Roundup attorney has the knowledge and experience needed to gather the proper documentation and present a compelling claim.
Contact a Rock Hill Roundup Attorney
If you or someone you know has cancer that you believe was caused by long-term exposure to Roundup, you may be entitled to compensation. Recoverable damages in a product liability case can include your medical expenses, pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, and more.
The attorneys at Schiller & Hamilton could talk to you about your individual circumstances to determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit. Our experienced Rock Hill Roundup lawyers could evaluate your claim and help you pursue any available legal remedies. To schedule a consultation with an attorney, call today.