Across the United States, people have filed more than 40,000 civil lawsuits against Monsanto, the manufacturer of the popular weed killer called Roundup. Why? The victims allege that they developed cancer after years of using Roundup at their jobs or properties.
In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) blew the whistle on Roundup. In its study, researchers found that the herbicide glyphosate in Roundup is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Glyphosate exposure, according to the IARC, increases your chances of getting non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other lymphatic cancers.
This news may be frightening to you. You likely have questions about Roundup, its safety, and more. On this page, we address some of your most frequently asked questions.
Our Roundup cancer lawsuit attorneys are here to help you and your family at any time. We understand what you’re going through, and we’re here to answer any of your questions.
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU AFTER A NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA DIAGNOSIS
At Shannon Law Group, our expert team will walk you through this difficult time. While we cannot undo the harm you needlessly suffered from Monsanto's negligence, we can investigate what happened to see if you and your family are eligible for compensation.
If you were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after exposure to Roundup, we encourage you to contact our lawyers at Shannon Law Group to discuss your legal rights and options. Our consultations are always free. Give us a call at (312) 578-9501 or fill out the contact form below to get started today.
WHAT IS ROUNDUP WEED KILLER?
Roundup is one of the most popular weed killers used today. About 280 million pounds of Roundup are applied each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Roundup is a non-selective herbicide. Glyphosate, its active ingredient, kills any plants you spray without visibly damaging the surrounding environment. Hardworking Americans like landscapers and farmers use Roundup in their day-to-day lives.
Its manufacturer Monsanto says that Roundup is one of the safest herbicides available. However, in 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published a study that found the glyphosate in Roundup is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” According to the IARC, Roundup exposure puts people at an increased risk of developing several types of blood and lymphatic cancer, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
DOES ROUNDUP CAUSE CANCER?
Many scientific studies show an association between glyphosate and an increased risk of cancer. However, scientists or doctors cannot say that Roundup definitely causes cancer. Scientists can’t run glyphosate trials with human subjects; that would be unethical.
Instead, scientists rely on the following criteria:
- Studies that show a statistical link between glyphosate exposure and blood cancers like non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Toxicological studies that look at how glyphosate affects cells and tissue
In 2015, the IARC concluded that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Its findings were based on limited evidence of cancer in humans from real-world exposure and sufficient evidence of cancer in experimental animals. The studies showed that glyphosate causes DNA and chromosomal damage in human cells, which can lead to cancer.
A meta-analysis in 2019 combined all past studies on glyphosate exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma from as early as 1986. The study found that people who had the most exposure to glyphosate were 41% more likely to develop non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in their lifetime.
WHO IS MOST AT RISK FOR GETTING CANCER FROM GLYPHOSATE EXPOSURE?
People most at risk of developing cancer from Roundup exposure are:
- Farmworkers
- Landscapers
- Nursey employees
- Groundskeepers
- Avid gardeners
- Other occupations that require frequent use of Roundup
WHAT KINDS OF CANCER DOES ROUNDUP CAUSE?
As mentioned above, many studies show Roundup exposure puts you at an increased risk for developing blood and lymphatic cancer. Here are cancers that are associated with glyphosate exposure:
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B cell or T cell)
- Follicular lymphoma
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Mantle cell lymphoma
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- Hairy cell leukemia
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ROUNDUP EXPOSURE?
Here are the most common symptoms linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and similar cancers:
- Swollen but painless lymph nodes in your armpits, groin, or neck
- Chronic fatigue or weakness
- Fever or night sweats
- Chest pain, coughing, or trouble breathing
- Anemia
- Sudden unexplained weight loss
- Itchy skin
If you have any of these symptoms after exposure to Roundup, contact your doctor immediately.
DID MONSANTO KNOW ABOUT THE HEALTH DANGERS OF USING ROUNDUP?
Based on the evidence revealed during recent trials, it appears so. For example, in one trial, Monsanto turned over documents on Dr. Jim Parry, a toxicologist Monsanto hired in the 1990s to promote glyphosate. However, Dr. Parry’s studies uncovered potential health risks; he suggested that Monsanto continue testing the herbicide. Monsanto distanced itself from Dr. Parry and never shared his findings with anyone – including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
During trial discovery, the “Monsanto Papers” (the company’s internal documents) demonstrated a shocking inconsistency in Roundup testing. Monsanto also had a press release strategy of attacking scientists who spoke out about Roundup’s health risks.
WHO CAN FILE A ROUNDUP CANCER LAWSUIT AGAINST MONSANTO?
People diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after using Roundup may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Farmers, gardeners, agricultural workers, nursery workers, landscapers, groundskeepers, and others exposed to a glyphosate herbicide like Roundup at their jobs have filed a lawsuit against Monsanto. People who were exposed to Roundup at the home also sued.
HOW DO ROUNDUP CANCER LAWSUITS WORK?
As of October 2019, there are over 42,000 civil lawsuits filed against Bayer, the company that bought Monsanto in 2018. All of these lawsuits allege that exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer contributed to the Plaintiff’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or cancer diagnosis. These lawsuits further allege that Monsanto was negligent because it failed to warn the Plaintiff of the dangers of glyphosate exposure.
As a Plaintiff, you will file an individual lawsuit against Monsanto and Bayer to seek remedies and damages for injuries like non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. You can also pursue compensation for other damages, such as pain and suffering or Many of these lawsuits have been consolidated in the St. Louis County Court in Missouri, the Alameda Superior Court in California, and the federal multidistrict ligation (MDL) court in California.
At Shannon Law Group, our Chicago lawyers file all of our Roundup cancer lawsuits in the St. Louis County Court in Missouri. We have chosen to file lawsuits there because Monsanto’s headquarters are located in St. Louis.
There are also class-action lawsuits against Monsanto in several states. However, these Plaintiffs are suing Monsanto for false and misleading information on the Roundup label only. They’re not seeking damages for injuries or wrongful death.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE TO FILE A ROUNDUP CANCER LAWSUIT?
In the United States, every state has a statute of limitations that set strict deadlines to file a lawsuit. Depending on where you live, you likely have two to four years from the date of your cancer diagnosis. You may still be eligible to file if you were diagnosed with cancer before the news broke about Roundup’s dangerous side effects.
If you or someone you love was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after Roundup exposure, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. Your time for filing a Monsanto Roundup lawsuit is limited. Our Chicago attorneys are just a phone call or contact form away.
People diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after using Roundup may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Farmers, gardeners, agricultural workers, nursery workers, landscapers, groundskeepers, and others exposed to a glyphosate herbicide like Roundup at their jobs have filed a lawsuit against Monsanto. People who were exposed to Roundup at the home also sued.
WHAT IF I CAN'T AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER?
Our lawyers at Shannon Law Group handle Roundup cancer lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. What does a “contingency basis” mean? Basically, we don’t get paid until you get paid. When you hire us, we agree to charge you no fee until we recover compensation for you. If we don’t come through for you, you pay no attorney’s fees.
When you contact us, we provide a free Roundup case review. If you meet certain criteria, we will schedule a free consultation with one of our Chicago attorneys. Get started on your free case review today.
HOW MANY ROUNDUP VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS HAVE THERE BEEN?
To date, only three Roundup cancer lawsuits have gone through trial and jury verdict. In all three cases, the Plaintiffs were awarded significant compensation for their injuries. At the moment, 14 cases in St. Louis County are in trial. The trial has been postponed at the moment. It is likely that Bayer-Monsanto will be settling all pending Roundup cancer lawsuits soon.
Dewayne Johnson: $289 million
A jury awarded $289 million to Dewayne Johnson in August of 2018. Mr. Johnson was a groundskeeper with stage IV non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Throughout his career, Mr. Johnson used Roundup often. He also had two accidents where he was soaked in the weed killer. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma two years after the first accident.
The jury found that Monsanto failed to warn consumers like Mr. Johnson about the risks of developing cancer from Roundup exposure. The jury awarded Mr. Johnson $39 million in compensatory damages and $250 million in punitive damages. Later, the trial judge reduced the punitive damages to $78 million.
Edward Hardeman: $80 million
In March of 2019, a jury awarded 70-year-old Edward Hardeman more than $80 million in damages. The members of the jury found that Mr. Hardeman’s exposure to Roundup contributed to his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis in 2015. For 26 years, Mr. Hardeman used Roundup to control weeds and poison ivy on his property.
Mr. Hardeman’s attorneys presented expert testimony that showed (1) glyphosate causes mutations in cells and (2) that people exposed to Roundup are at an increased risk for developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The jury awarded Mr. Hardeman $5 million for medical bills and pain and suffering, as well as $75 million in punitive damages.
The trial judge later lowered the punitive damages award to $20 million. However, Judge Chhabria stated that Monsanto’s conduct while answering questions about the safety of Roundup was “reprehensible”:
“Despite years of colorable claims in the scientific community that Roundup causes NHL, Monsanto presented minimal evidence suggesting that it was interested in getting to the bottom of those claims. … While Monsanto repeatedly intones that it stands by the safety of its product, the evidence at trial painted the picture of a company focused on attacking or undermining the people who raised concerns, to the exclusion of being an objective arbiter of Roundup’s safety.”
Alva and Alberta Pilliod: $2 billion
In July of 2019, a California jury awarded couple Alva and Alberta Pilliod $2 billion in damages. The Pilliods had used Roundup on their property for decades and were both diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The Pilliod’s attorneys argued that if the jury awarded $1 billion dollars to each spouse, they would send a clear message to Monsanto. The amount was based on Monsanto’s 2017 profits from selling Roundup. The judge later reduced the punitive damages award to $87 million.
WHY IS ROUNDUP STILL BEING SOLD IN STORES LIKE HOME DEPOT AND LOWES?
Roundup is still being sold in stores today because it has not been recalled by any government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA still stands by its original findings that the herbicide glyphosate poses “no risks of concern to human health” and “that it is not a carcinogen.”
However, we have discovered that the EPA tends to review studies where humans had minimal Roundup exposure through their diet or environment. It dismisses studies that analyze the health risks associated with occupational glyphosate exposure, where hardworking people like Dewayne Johnson use gallons a day.
Many cities across America like Seattle have banned glyphosate use. But until the government issues a recall, Bayer will continue profiting from Roundup sales.
