RoundUp is an herbicide (weed killer) that consists of the active chemical ingredient glyphosate, along with other inert ingredients such as water, ethoxylated tallowamine, isopropylamine and polyoxyethylene alkylamine.
Glyphosate was discovered by scientists for Monsanto in 1970 and registered in the United States in 1974. They held the exclusive patent to sell glyphosate-based herbicides until it expired in 2000. RoundUp and Monsanto were purchased by German medical giant Bayer in 2018 and they remain the market leader in glyphosate-based herbicides.
Monsanto has routinely claimed RoundUp is non-toxic, even comparing it to table salt in some advertisements. And, even though the EPA initially classified glyphosate as a carcinogen (causing cancer) in 1985, it unexpectedly re-classified it as safe in 1991.
However, the EPA’s current position is based primarily on outdated studies that are unpublished, lacking peer-review, and subject to influence by the chemical industry.
Now, a growing amount of scientific data suggests glyphosate may be linked with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
A 2001 study of Canadian farmers found a link between glyphosate and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. An article studying farmworkers in 2003 also noted an increasing occurrence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in those exposed to glyphosate.
In 2008, a study from Sweden concluded exposure to glyphosate could double the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Then, in March of 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded a comprehensive review of published, independent research identifying glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen.”
Since then, a 2016 study linked RoundUp with liver disease; a French study that same year found the inactive ingredients of RoundUp to also be toxic, and a panel of experts in 2017 called for new studies into the toxicity of glyphosate based on its rising use and exposure by humans.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a fairly common type of cancer that originates in white blood cells of the immune system called lymphocytes. Since the lymphatic system transports fluid around the body, this also causes NHL to spread quickly.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is diagnosed in approximately 75,000 new patients each year and around 20,000 die from the disease annually.
Lymphatic tissue is found in most areas of the body, which can make it difficult to treat some types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, most treatment regimens include one or more of the following:
In some cases, patients may also qualify for experimental treatments through new clinical trials.
In addition to Monsanto continuing to sell RoundUp, a product that may cause cancer, for decades, the company faces liability for a number of other reasons.
The company has already been charged with falsely marketed RoundUp as harmless. Now, recently unsealed internal documents also suggest they attempted to influence studies to show it as safe and colluded with government officials to bury health concerns.
As early as 1985, concerns were raised that RoundUp may be linked to cancer. However, Monsanto continued marketing it as “safer than table salt” and “practically non-toxic.” In fact, the Attorney General for the state of New York filed a lawsuit against the company in 1996 for these misleading advertisements.
Prior to the release of the IARC report in 2015 that would bring worldwide attention to RoundUp’s cancer risks, company executives discussed funding their own studies arguing it was safe. In fact, they even anticipated writing the studies themselves and paying scientists to sign off on them!
Finally, and perhaps most unsettling, are internal Monsanto documents showing conversations between executives and the EPA’s Cancer Assessment Review Committee chairman Jess Rowland in which Rowland suggested he would try to “kill” any concerns over RoundUp cancer.
Anyone diagnosed with lymphoma or a similar cancer after repeated use of herbicide products containing glyphosate, including consumer and commercial versions of RoundUp, may qualify for a lawsuit and should learn about their options for compensation.
Some of the people who are most at risk include:
Reports have noted an increased occurrence of certain cancers in these professions, including non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Leukemia and Multiple Myeloma.
If you or a family member have been affected, it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible before your rights expire.
In the short time since courts have begun trials on RoundUp cancer lawsuits, juries have spoken loud and clear to punish the company for its actions.
In the first trial ever, which took place last year in a San Francisco court, the jury ordered Bayer to pay the victims $289 million. This was later reduced to $78 million.
Later, in a California federal court presiding over around 1,000 cases, a jury awarded victims of RoundUp lymphoma $80 million. This award was also reduced by the court.
Finally, the latest trial to take place in Alameda County Superior Court in California saw a jury award over $2 billion in compensatory and punitive damages. Again, this award was reduced by the court to $86 million.
What do these verdicts mean for the value of other RoundUp cases? First, it is important to understand that all three of these cases have been appealed by the manufacturer and could be reduced further or even overturned.
Second, there is no way that Bayer could pay such astronomical amounts to all RoundUp victims and still stay in business to make sure everyone is compensated. Finally, it would take over 100 years to resolve all the pending cases if they all went to a jury trial.
For this reason, the court has appointed renowned mediator Ken Feinberg, who presided over the 9/11 victim fund and BP Horizon Oil Spill litigation, to attempt to settle the cases.
In an attempt to compensate the greatest number of victims in a fair manner, cases will be indexed based on exposure level and health effects. Overall, however, victims of severe RoundUp lymphoma could still see settlements approaching or exceeding the $1 million level.
No. Instead of one large class action lawsuit that acts on behalf of numerous claimants, RoundUp lawsuits are filed individually. However, they’ve been consolidated together in certain courts for quicker handling and easier sharing of evidence.
This system, called multidistrict litigation, allows plaintiffs to maintain more control over their lymphoma case and select which attorney they want to use. They can also make important decisions about settlement and don’t have to share their award with other participants.
The time period you have to file a lawsuit, called a Statute of Limitations, differs from state to state. It can be based on when you were exposed to the danger, when you became ill, or when you discovered that your illness may be linked to RoundUp use. In order to find out exactly how long you have to file a lawsuit, you should talk with a lawyer.
Fortunately for those already enduring the pain of lymphoma, it costs nothing to investigate or file your case. Your lawyer is only paid and you only owe costs if you receive compensation. This is known as contingency attorney’s fees and costs.
Starting the process is easy. By contacting DrugNews, you can speak directly with a lawyer today at no cost to learn your options and decide if you’d like to proceed. Then, your law firm will come to you and collect all necessary evidence for you.
Lawsuits against the maker of RoundUp Monsanto.
This case was filed recently by the widow of Jerry LaVern Plagge, a farmer from Iowa who used RoundUp from 1974 until 2015. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and passed away from the disease in April 2015.
This lawsuit was filed in 2017 by Misty Hill, the widow of Robert Cochran, who passed away from a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in July 2016. Although not a farmer, Mr. Cochran was exposed to RoundUp for almost 10 years as it was sprayed in the corn and bean fields surrounding his home in Clay, Illinois. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2012.
This 2017 lawsuit was filed by two consumer groups claiming Monsanto fraudulently mislabeled RoundUp to indicate it only affects an enzyme found in plants. However, plaintiffs argue that the enzyme is clearly found in humans and pets, putting our food supply and millions of consumers at risk.
On October 3, 2016, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation entered an order creating a federal multidistrict litigation court in the Northern District of California under US District Judge Vince Chhabria for all RoundUp cases filed in federal courts.
The case is known as MDL 2741 - IN RE: Roundup Products Liability Litigation. So far, more than 800 victims have filed lawsuits in this and other courts designated for RoundUp litigation.
In 1996 the New York State Attorney General filed a criminal lawsuit against Monsanto, alleging they conducted false and deceptive marketing of RoundUp by labeling the product “practically non-toxic” and “safer than table salt.”
Latest news on RoundUp litigation.
For years, lawyers have identified the need to take action on behalf of those afflicted with lymphoma after repeated exposure to RoundUp. However, Monsanto is considered one of the shrewdest, most well-funded and politically connected organizations in the world.
Now, as growing scientific data and evidence of data tampering and political collusion come to light, those affected by RoundUp cancer may finally be able to recover compensation. However, it is still very important to choose the right lawyer for these challenging cases.
First, it is essential to choose a law firm with the resources necessary to fight such a powerful company, and the experience to handle complex chemical injury cases.
Although a local firm may be best for some cases, they often aren’t best suited to handle protracted, specialized cases in nationally consolidated federal multidistrict litigation courts.
The best lawyer for your case may be in a different state, however, they will offer to come to you for meetings, and will take care of collecting all evidence and appearing on your behalf. So, chances are you will never have to leave your home.
Your lawyer should also keep you up to date on the progress of your case, even though it may take a year or so to reach conclusion.
Above all, you should never have to pay to speak with a lawyer or file a case for RoundUp lymphoma, unless your lawyer gets compensation for you.
DrugNews works only with lawyers and law firms that have handled thousands of chemical and drug-related cancer cases against powerful opponents. And, by contacting us, we can have you talking to a lawyer today at no cost.
Call, email or live chat with us today to see how we can help.