Roundup Lawsuit | Roundup Cancer Lawyer

What is Roundup?

Roundup, a cancer-causing weed killer, is a widely-used herbicide. Each year, in the U.S. approximately 250 million pounds of glyphosate are sprayed on crops, commercial nurseries, lawns, driveways, sidewalks, parks, and golf courses.

Monsanto introduced Roundup in 1974 after discovering that glyphosate kills weeds by blocking proteins essential to plant growth. The company had exclusive rights to the chemical as a weed killer until 2000 when its patent expired. Today, more than 160 countries use more than 1.4 billion pounds of glyphosate every year.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) believed glyphosate might cause cancer in the 1980s.  While they reversed their decision based on a lack of convincing carcinogenicity evidence at the time, there has been significant growth in evidence linking glyphosate to cancer.

What is Roundup’s Cancer Link?

Many Roundup products and similar products contain the ingredient glyphosate that has been considered “probably carcinogenic in humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) based on “convincing evidence” that glyphosate caused cancer in laboratory animals. The most serious side effect from exposure to glyphosate (Roundup’s main ingredient) is the development of cancer, specifically Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, leukemia and B-cell lymphoma.

Individuals who are most at risk for developing cancer are farmworkers and other individuals with workplace exposure, such as employees in garden centers, nurseries, and landscapers. There have been reports of Roundup users being diagnosed with the following:

• Leukemia
• Bone Cancer
• B-cell Lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Why File a Roundup Cancer Lawsuit?

1. You have a legal right to take action – If you or a loved one have developed cancer after using a glyphosate-based weed killer product, such as Roundup, you have a legal right to hold Bayer Monsanto accountable for the harm they’ve caused through negligence.
2. We will be by your side, the entire way. – Our attorneys pride themselves on signature customer service. From initial contact to a final settlement, a member of our legal team will guide you through the legal process. Our firm will help you to determine what your best course of action is, and if necessary, we will help you seek medical treatment.
3. We don’t get paid unless you receive compensation. – We believe that anybody who is harmed by a major company’s negligence and wrongdoing deserves a fighting chance without having to worry about the cost of legal representation. That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis. We don’t get paid until you do.

What is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is a synthetic compound herbicide that is particularly effective against killing perennial weeds. It is the active ingredient of Roundup and works by suppressing an essential biochemical mechanism commonly found in plants. For the last several years, the chemical has been the subject of several studies questioning its safety. One such study from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found alarming levels of the chemical in breakfast cereals and other foods containing oats.

Glyphosate Dangers

The question of whether or not glyphosate is toxic to humans is one that continuously comes up. However, it is important to remember that glyphosate is a chemical intended to kill unwanted plants. Glyphosate, like any chemical, is toxic to humans at some dose. The generally held view by health agencies in the U.S. is that the chemical is not a health concern. However, studies have consistently linked it to non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Despite the EPA ranking glyphosate’s toxicity level at a three, glyphosate actually does severe damage to the kidney and liver. Any disruption to these organs leads to negative effects in the body’s endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for regulating hormones. As a result, any disruption to this system increases the risk of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Does Glyphosate Cause Cancer?

Recent studies show that glyphosate does severe damage to the kidney and liver. Damage to those organs can disrupt the body’s endocrine system—the system responsible for regulating hormones. Additionally, any disruption to this system increases the risks of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

If you or a loved one is suffering from non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, contact a Roundup lawyer at The Carlson Law Firm. We have a Roundup Lawyer ready to listen to your story and get the resolution you deserve.

Glyphosate in Breakfast Cereal

In August 2018, the EWG released a report stating 31 out of 45 food products made with conventionally grown oats tested positive for glyphosate. The weed killer was found in breakfast foods marketed toward children. Oats, granola and snack bars contained glyphosate levels higher than what some scientists consider safe.

What is Surfactant?

In agriculture, surfactants (short for surface-acting agents) help farmers use herbicides more efficiently. Surfactants help by reducing the surface tension of water, and since herbicide sprays are mostly water, this keeps the spray on the targeted weed rather than rolling off onto the soil. Basically, surfactants help the spray stick to the plant. But that’s not all surfactants do. They also boost glyphosate’s cancer-causing properties. Due to added surfactants that help the chemical spread across plant surfaces, Roundup is more carcinogenic than pure glyphosate.

How does Roundup Exposure Occur?

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup and a host of other commercial herbicides. The plant-killing chemical is widely used in both homes for private use and for agricultural use. Unfortunately, this means that anyone can be exposed to the chemical. Exposure to Roundup or herbicides containing glyphosate can include:

• Breathing the air near a sprayed area
• Touching sprayed plants
• Drinking from a contaminated water supply
• Eating food grown in treated soil

It doesn’t matter if you live in a city, on a farm or in the suburbs, you are likely at risk for glyphosate exposure.

Who is most at-risk for Roundup-caused cancer?

People who use glyphosate on a regular basis are at the highest risk for cancer. If you worked in the following industries and received a Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis, you should consider Roundup as the cause:

• Farmer
• Landscaper
• Professional gardener
• Groundskeeper
• Agriculture worker
• Pesticide and herbicide applicator

A Roundup lawyer from The Carlson Law Firm can help you determine if filing a Roundup lawsuit is the right step for you.

What is Roundup’s Primary Use in the United States?

The primary use for Roundup is agriculture. According to the New York Times, Roundup is a “miracle chemical for farmers.” Roundup earned this title because it kills off a broad spectrum of weeds and breaks down quickly, limiting its environmental impact. However, in the late 1990s, the product’s sales took off. This skyrocket in sales came after Monsanto created a brand of Roundup Ready crops that were genetically modified to tolerate glyphosate. Today, Monsanto’s Roundup crops account for about 90 percent of soybeans. In addition, they account for another 70 percent of corn and cotton grown in the United States.

Roundup products are registered in more than 130 countries. Further, the product is approved for use on more than 100 crops. In fact, glyphosate is in such wide use that it is found in water, food and even the urine of agricultural workers. There are several countries around the globe with policies banning or restricting the sale and use of glyphosate.

The Carlson Law Firm has a Roundup lawyer ready to represent you. If you or a loved one is living with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after working with Roundup products, contact us today. A Roundup lawyer is ready to discuss your case.

Does Roundup Cause Cancer?

Yes. Numerous studies have linked Roundup to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Some studies say that exposure to Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate, increases the risk of developing some cancers by more than 40%.

What is Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that is fundamental to the immune system and works to fight infections. In addition, lymphocytes determine the specificity of the immune response to infectious microorganisms and other foreign substances. Lymphocytes can be found in the lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues, such as the spleen and bone marrow.

The disease is sometimes known as NHL or just lymphoma. Three major sites of lymph tissue include:

• Lymph Nodes: These are bean-sized collections of lymphocytes and other immune system cells throughout the body, including inside the chest, abdomen and pelvis. Additionally, they connect to a system of lymphatic vessels.
• Spleen: The spleen is an organ under the lower ribs on the left side of the body. Additionally, the spleen makes lymphocytes and other immune system cells. It also stores healthy blood cells and filters out damaged blood cells, bacteria and cell waste.
• Bone marrow: The bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside certain bones. Furthermore, bone marrow creates new blood cells and lymphocytes.

What Causes Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

As mentioned, international links made the connection between the Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate, and NHL. Other causes of NHL include benzene and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Further, occupational exposures may result in chromosomal damage, oxidative stress, or immune dysfunction. As a result, studies show that farming and agricultural consistently intertwine with an increase in the incidence and mortality rate of NHL. In addition to those who work in the farming or gardening industries, there are several other occupations associated with this type of cancer:

• Funeral directors and embalmers
• Medical professionals
• Teachers
• Painters and Construction workers
• Printers
• Transport Workers
• Secretaries
• Post Office Employees
• Electrical Workers
• Glass Formers
• Hair Dressers

Workplace exposure to toxic chemicals may lead to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. These chemicals include:

• Benzene
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
• Roundup (Glyphosate)

If you have been exposed to any of these chemicals in the workplace and developed Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, contact us. We have a Roundup lawyer who can help you recover losses you’ve faced as a result of the disease. Call us today to schedule a free consultation. We are available 24/7. Se habla español.

What are the symptoms of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

NHL presents several different signs and symptoms. Symptoms depend on the type of lymphoma and what part of the body it is in. Sometimes, it may not cause any symptoms until it grows in size. If you work closely with Roundup, signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for include:

• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Fever
• Sweating
• Chills
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Swollen abdomen (belly)
• Feeling full after only a small amount of food
• Chest pain or pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Unexplained weight loss
• Severe or frequent infections
• Easy bruising or bleeding

The largest signifier of NHL is swollen or enlarged lymph nodes. Lymph nodes in the neck, groin, underarms or above the collarbone may be visible or felt as lumps under the skin. However, they are usually not painful. While swollen lymph nodes are a common symptom of lymphoma, infections are the usual culprit. When infections are present, they are called reactive nodes or hyperplastic nodes.

If you or a loved one is suffering from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, contact The Carlson Law Firm. A compassionate Roundup lawyer will evaluate your case for free. We can help prove Monsanto’s liability in your illness.

Current Roundup Lawsuits

A lawsuit filed in April 2015 in California accuses the makers of the product, Monsanto, of false advertising for claiming the herbicide is harmless to human health. In fact, Monsanto claimed that the glyphosate ingredient targets an enzyme only found in plants, but not people or pets. Recently, however, documents from this lawsuit have been made public. These documents reveal a startling collaboration between Monsanto and the EPA to discredit the research done by the IARC. For years the company has assured farmers that their weed-killing product was absolutely safe to use, however, this isn’t the case, according to Monsanto’s own lead toxicologist, Donna Farmer.

The Daubert Hearings: Monsanto Papers

There are more than 450 lawsuits pending against Monsanto Co. in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. People who allege that exposure to Roundup, a cancer-causing weed killer, caused them or their loved ones to develop Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and the company covered up the risks. Currently, the cases are in multidistrict litigation (MDL) under Judge Vince Chhabria.

Monsanto sought to have its internal records and communications sealed from public view. However, in March 2017, Judge Chhabria allowed the unsealing of certain Monsanto documents. The judge published these papers on the District Court’s website. Eventually, these documents became known as the Monsanto Papers are available online.

Roundup Lawsuit Updates:

July 2017

Regulators in California took the first step to require Monsanto to come with a cancer-warning label. The label was set to go into effect in July 2018. However, a U.S. District Judge in Sacramento blocked the requirement in early 2018. Judge William Shubb sided with Monsanto saying that the warning label is false and misleading. The was ruling came after concluding that almost U.S. regulators have concluded that there is no evidence linking the products main ingredient to cancer.

However, the Monsanto papers reveal a collaboration between Monsanto and the EPA to halt a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigation of glyphosate.

July 2018

In a similar loss for Monsanto, a San Francisco judge allowed hundreds of Roundup lawsuits to proceed to trial on July 10. The allegations in the hundreds of cases involved are similar to Johnson’s.

Monsanto continues to deny that its product is deadly. But, experts disagree with the company’s stance.

August 2018: Dewayne Johnson

In May 2018, a 46-year-old California groundskeeper became the first person to take the global seed and chemical company, Monsanto, to court. The court heard DeWayne Johnson’s case June 2018. Johnson’s suit alleges that the company suppressed evidence that its Roundup product is responsible for causing Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer. Out of more than 400 lawsuits heard, Johnson’s was the first heard.

On Aug. 10, a California Superior Court jury deliberated for two and a half days before finding that Johnson’s Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was in part due to using glyphosate. The jury ordered Monsanto to pay Johnson $289 million. In addition, the suit states that Johnson regularly used glyphosate to spray fields while working as a groundskeeper at California school.

Judge Suzanne Ramos Bolanos said in court that Monsanto “acted with malice, oppression or fraud and should be punished for its conduct.”

Monsanto Vice President Scott Partridge said that the company is sympathetic to Johnson and his family. However, the company will appeal the court’s decision

October 2018: Dewayne Johnson

Judge Bolanos said she would be willing to reduce the punitive damages owed to Johnson, from $250 million to $39 million, if his lawyers agreed. If agreed, Bayer would be left on the hook for $78 million, in compensatory and punitive damages. Johnson has until Dec. 7 to decide whether to accept the reduced award amount. If he rejects it, the judge will set a new trial in which the plaintiff and defendant will argue punitive damages.

March 2019

Monsanto was dealt a blow to a motion for summary judgment filed in early January 2019. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria denied the company’s bid for the court to rule that federal insecticide law preempts consumer claims that the company failed to warn that its herbicide is a possible carcinogen.

The judge’s ruling applied to three pending bellwether trials for Roundup. In the motion for summary judgment, Monsanto claimed three things: 1) the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) law preempts consumer claims; 2) EPA label approval preempts calls for state-mandated changes to Roundup labels that warn of potential cancer risks; and 3) that consumers did not provide enough evidence to prove their claims.

May 2019: $2 Billion award

In the third consecutive U.S. jury verdict against Bayer, a California jury awarded more than $2 billion to a couple who claimed Bayer-Monsanto’s glyphosate-based weed killer, Roundup, caused their cancer. The May 14 ruling became the largest jury verdict against the company over cancer claims to date. The jury awarded $55 million in compensatory damages and $2 billion in punitive damages to California couple Alva and Alberta Pilliod. However, punitive damages are likely to be reduced because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limits the ratio of punitive to compensatory damages to 9:1.

The Pilliods both have Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The couple says that they used Roundup on their property between 1975 and 2011. They filed their lawsuits against Bayer-Monsanto in 2011 after Alva, now 77, received a cancer diagnosis in 2011 and Alberta, now 75, received the same cancer diagnosis in 2015.  Individually, the jury awarded Alva $18 million in compensatory damages and $1 billion in punitive damages; and Alberta $37 million in compensatory and $1 billion in punitive damages.

Both are currently in remission. But their trial was expedited due to the risk of relapse and potentially shortened life expectancy.

In its ruling, the Alameda County jury found that Round’s design is defective. Further, the jury alleged that the company failed to warn of the herbicide’s cancer risks and that the company acted negligently.

July 2019: Jury award slashed

The damages award announced in May marked the largest to date in the litany of lawsuits tying the top-selling herbicide to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. But in a tentative ruling, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Winifred Y. Smith said the $2 billion exceeded legal precedent and that she was considering an award closer to $250 million. Experts assumed the award would be reduced, given U.S. Supreme Court rulings that cap the ratio of punitive to compensatory damages at 9-to-1.

August 2019

Rumors of Bayer wanting to settle the $8 billion to settle began surfacing. However, mediator Ken Feinberg said the proposed settlement was untrue. Feinberg stated that compensation had yet to be discussed in global mediation discussions.

The New York Times reported that the number of lawsuits against Bayer-Monsanto concerning glyphosate had risen by 5,000. As of the end of August, there are around 18,400 claims. If you believe your Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was caused by Roundup use, contact The Carlson Law Firm to discuss your next steps.

September 2019

In September 2019, while in the midst of thousands of lawsuits in America, Germany announced plan to ban glyphosate. Germany is planning a “systematic reduction strategy” that will prohibit use of the chemical in domestic gardens, as well as limit farm use. The country plans a complete ban by the end of 2023. While the German ban won’t do much to hurt the company’s bottom line,  it signals another country taking the science linking Roundup to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma seriously.

April 2020

A new report from Bloomberg news stated that Bayer has earmarked more than half-a-billion dollars to defend itself against Roundup allegations. Bayer (formerly Monsanto) is currently in settlement talks with lawyers for more than 50,000 U.S. plaintiffs who have sued over the product. While the coronavirus has slowed negotiation talks, the two sides are still working to resolve the issue. However, in a statement, the company indicated that the talks could drag out in the hopes that they come to a deal that is “financially reasonable.”

November 2020: Bayer Fails to Settle Roundup Lawsuits

According to reports from Bloomberg, Bayer AG missed a deadline to settle more than 1,800 lawsuits. In September, a judge warned the company that these cases will move at full speed ahead to trials after keeping the cases on hold to allow for negotiations.

What does the Environmental Protection Agency say about Roundup?

While several international health organizations and countries have banned or restricted the use of glyphosate, the U.S. has little to no government warnings. With the release of the Monsanto Papers, it became clear that the EPA slowed an investigation of glyphosate initiated by the CDC.

A report from the Huffington Post detailed communications between the EPA and Monsanto. The documents, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, show that in early 2015, the EPA and Monsanto began working together to stall a toxicology report that the CDC was conducting on glyphosate. The Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the CDC are responsible for evaluating health effects on humans from exposure to hazardous substances in the environment. In February 2015, the ATSDR announced its plan to publish a toxicological profile of glyphosate in October of that year. As of January 2019, there is still no report or publication date set.

The Monsanto Papers reveal that this was no accident or “red-tape” delay. Instead, it was the result of Monsanto and high-ranking officials in the EPA working together to prevent this review.

For Monsanto, the timing of the ATSDR’s review was troubling. In March 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer named glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. Rather than encourage the report, Jesse Rowland, Deputy Director of the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) communicated to Monsanto his willingness to try to kill the ATSDR report. Rowland and other high-level EPA officials complained the ATSDR report was a duplicate of their review already underway. They encouraged the organization to let the EPA review stand alone.

To date, an ATSDR has not released a report. However, the EPA released an assessment that declared glyphosate was not likely a carcinogen.

ATSDR Update: April 2019 Draft Raises Concerns

Despite EPA efforts to kill the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR) report on the toxicology of glyphosate, a draft for public comment on the Toxicology Profile for Glyphosate was released in April 2019. The release was prompted by the Science House Committee sending a letter to the CDC requesting the agency to deliver the report.

Contrary to the EPA’s stance on glyphosate, the ATSDR raises several concerns about the toxicity of glyphosate. Unlike the EPA, the ATSDR’s report admits that findings that link glyphosate to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma or multiple myeloma were statistically significant. The report not only references glyphosate’s carcinogenicity but also several non-cancer effects. Some of the non-cancer effects observed in animal subjects include:

• Weight loss
• Decreases in red blood cells
• Kidney lesions
• Increased liver weight
• Increased alanine aminotransferse (an indication of liver damage or disease)
• Delayed puberty in males
• Denser urine
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Death

The report also notes several studies that have shown a link between glyphosate and cancer. Earlier this year, a study was released showing a 41 percent increase in cancer risks with glyphosate use.

How a Roundup Lawyer From The Carlson Law Firm Can Help You

The Carlson Law Firm is currently investigating Roundup linked Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cases across the nation. We are accepting cases from all 50 states. If you or someone you love suffered injury by exposure to this carcinogenic chemical, it is in your best interest to contact a Roundup lawyer. The initial consultation with a Roundup lawyer is always free. In addition, there are no upfront costs to you. You won’t pay unless we win your case.

The Carlson Law Firm has a team of attorneys experienced in cases like these. A Roundup lawyer from our firm will tirelessly fight for justice. Monsanto is guilty of years of cover-ups from its Roundup product. Monsanto’s negligence had an uneven effect on farmers, gardeners, and others in agricultural industries. If you or someone you know have one of these cancers and have had exposure to the weed-killer, Roundup, you might have a case. We protect victims nationwide from negligent companies for their injuries.  Contact our office for a free consultation.

Take a step toward protecting your family’s future and contact us today to find out if you are eligible for a Roundup lawsuit. A compassionate Roundup lawyer is ready to take your call.

Contact a Roundup Lawsuit Attorney

The Roundup Lawsuit Attorneys at The Carlson Law Firm is representing clients diagnosed with cancer after Roundup use. If you or a loved one is living with or passed away from Roundup-related cancer, contact us to find out how we can help. Our Roundup Lawsuit Attorneys can be reached at 800-359-5690.

Roundup lawsuit FAQs