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Roundup Lawsuit:
A Comprehensive Overview

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Concerned about health problems after using Roundup weedkiller? Contact us to explore your options for compensation.
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Date Modified: July 19, 2024

The Roundup lawsuit primarily concerns claims that Roundup, a popular weed killer, causes cancer—specifically, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Monsanto, the company that manufactured Roundup, has been accused of not adequately warning consumers about this potential risk.

Latest Roundup Lawsuit Update

As of February 2024, the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Bayer’s argument that federal labeling requirements for pesticides should preclude state requirements for cancer warnings on Roundup products. This decision limits Bayer's legal strategies and may increase pressure on the company to settle more lawsuits.

Meyer v. Monsanto and Cloud v. Monsanto could are some of the many Roundup trials that started this month across Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Delaware, and California. The verdicts on these cases in the following month could impact other ongoing or upcoming trials.

Bayer's attempts to achieve immunity from pesticide and herbicide-related lawsuits aren't getting any easy favors. This particular case is due to a state senator representing Soda Springs, Idaho, the site of Monsantos' phosphate mining operations.

Soda Springs state Senator Mark Harris proposed a bill granting Monsanto immunity from pesticide use lawsuits, which led to some senators' concerns. The bill was shot down with a vote of 15-19. 

In other news, a recent study from the Indiana University School of Medicine has found an alarming trend among pregnant women. Their study shows an increase in the presence of a detrimental herbicide in their urine; a trend corresponding to the escalated use of these agricultural chemicals.

The research carried out between 2020 and 2022 found that 70% of the pregnant women examined in Indiana had detectable levels of the herbicide dicamba in their urine. This figure marks a significant jump from the 28% recorded between 2010 and 2012.

The study also reports a more than fourfold increase in the concentration of this weed-killing chemical in their bodies, underscoring the heightened exposure risks.

Why Are Victims Filing Roundup Lawsuits?

Victims are filing Roundup lawsuits because of the following reasons:

  • Personal injury: People who have developed health issues believe they are directly related to the use of Roundup.
  • Lack of warning: The lawsuits often claim Monsanto did not provide adequate warning about the potential risks.
  • Alleged corporate misconduct: Accusations that Monsanto manipulated research or regulatory approvals have fueled public interest in these cases.

By filing lawsuits, plaintiffs are seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering. They also aim to hold Monsanto accountable for allegedly failing to ensure the safety of their product.

Health Implications of Roundup

One of the primary health risks attributed to Roundup exposure is non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that targets white blood cells crucial for a well-functioning immune system. Legal claims against Roundup frequently center on individuals who have been diagnosed with this type of cancer.

Known Injuries and Side Effects

Aside from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, several related cancers are also being cited in lawsuits against Roundup. These cancers range from less common forms to more specific subtypes of lymphomas, reflecting the broad scope of potential health impacts. 

Below is a comprehensive list of these related cancers:

  • Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma
  • B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
  • Burkitt Lymphoma
  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
  • Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
  • Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
  • Extranodal Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphoma (MALT)
  • Follicular Lymphoma and Hairy Cell Leukemia
  • Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia
  • Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma (Waldenström Macroglobulinemia)
  • Mantle Cell Lymphoma
  • Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphomas
  • Mycosis Fungoides
  • Nodal Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphoma
  • Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas
  • Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
  • Sezary SyndromeSmall Lymphocytic Lymphoma
  • Splenic Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphoma

The diversity of cancers potentially linked to Roundup underscores the urgency and importance of ongoing litigation and research. While correlation does not imply causation, the mounting number of cases suggests a need for more comprehensive studies and possibly stricter regulations.

Eligibility for Victims and Legal Procedures

If you or someone close to you has worked in agriculture—as a farmer, landscaper, or agricultural laborer—and has frequently used Roundup weed killer, you could be in line for legal action.

Am I Eligible to File a Roundup Lawsuit?

Specifically, you might qualify for a lawsuit if you’ve been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or similar medical conditions. While many have already received their settlements, new payouts are anticipated to be made in 2023.

Here’s a simple checklist to see if you could be eligible for a Roundup lawsuit:

  • Exposure: You’ve used Roundup extensively or were exposed to a significant amount, particularly if this happened when you were 12 years old or younger.
  • Diagnosis: You were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or another qualifying cancer after June 1, 2018.
  • Time Limit: The legal time limit, known as the “statute of limitations,” to file a lawsuit in your state hasn’t expired.

Some people have chosen to file their own lawsuits, seeking compensation specifically for their health conditions resulting from Roundup exposure. Meanwhile, others have joined class-action claims to get reimbursed for the cost of Roundup products they purchased.

With Monsanto/Bayer setting aside more than $10 billion to settle around 100,000 cases, covering approximately 80% of lawsuits, there’s still room for new claims. Roundup lawyers are continuing to accept new clients.

If you think you meet these criteria, you may have a valid case and should consider consulting a legal professional for the next steps.

Steps to File a Roundup Lawsuit

These are the steps to file a Roundup lawsuit:

  1. Consult a healthcare provider: Seek medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment of any health issues you believe are related to Roundup exposure.
  2. Document evidence: Collect all relevant evidence, such as medical records, purchase receipts, and photographs of the product or affected area.
  3. Consult an attorney: Contact a lawyer experienced in product liability or personal injury law to discuss the details of your case.
  4. Case evaluation: Your attorney will evaluate the evidence to determine if you have a viable lawsuit.
  5. File a complaint: If your case is deemed viable, your attorney will file a legal complaint against the responsible parties, usually the manufacturer of Roundup.

Potential Compensation and Settlements

The payout for a Roundup weed killer lawsuit is between $5,000 and $250,000. The exact amount will depend on the injuries sustained by the claimant.

EPA-Ordered Examination of Glyphosate Health Risks

In late 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assembled a group of experts to assess the potential health risks associated with using glyphosate, a common herbicide.

Topics: Roundup Legal Cases, 2023 Updates on Roundup Lawsuits, Roundup and Cancer, Why is Roundup Considered Harmful?, What is Glyphosate, Why Does the EPA View Glyphosate as Safe, EPA's Required Glyphosate Safety Review

The expert group was made up of 15 specialists from various fields, including:

  • University scholars
  • Government scientists specializing in law
  • Advisors from the chemical sector

Ongoing legal cases did not trigger this assessment. Instead, the EPA must reevaluate all pesticides' safety every 15 years.

The last time glyphosate had undergone such a review was in 1991. At that time, the agency concluded that the chemical was not a risk to the public.

Interestingly, the 2016 meeting commenced with Jack Housenger, the head of the EPA's Office of Pesticides Programs, presenting a comprehensive 227-page report arguing that glyphosate was unlikely to be cancer-causing.

He then asked the panel to evaluate the report. Many of the experts on the panel had reservations about the EPA's conclusions.

During the meeting, Eric Johnson, an epidemiologist from the University of Arkansas, voiced his apprehensions. He argued that if any research indicated a link between glyphosate and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, the EPA was quick to downplay the results, citing supposed study weaknesses.

Lianne Sheppard, a biostatistician from the University of Washington-Seattle, stated that there was a general agreement among panel members that the evidence presented did not align with the conclusions in the report, especially when evaluated against certain guidelines.

Some experts even questioned the impartiality and competence of the Office of Pesticides Programs.

Notably, nearly a third of this office's operating budget in 2016 came from the pesticide manufacturing industry. Much of the data they use for evaluation comes from studies performed by these same manufacturers.

Following the meeting, the EPA made the issue paper publicly available. Legally, they were obligated to include any objections or concerns raised by the panel members.

However, the EPA minimized the gravity of these concerns in the public document.

Legal Defense Concerning Roundup

Monsanto/Bayer has enlisted Dr. Donna Farmer as their spokesperson in the ongoing legal battles surrounding Roundup. A veteran chemical researcher with over two decades of experience at Monsanto, Dr. Farmer strongly disputes the recent claims linking the herbicide to cancer risks. She criticizes the World Health Organization (WHO) for what she perceives as the selective use of data and differing interpretations of scientific studies compared to the original researchers. While she may be sincere in her beliefs, she is not supported by the majority opinion.

Dr. Farmer argues that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is designed to inhibit a specific enzyme found only in plants, not in humans or animals. She claims that her extensive research confirms the herbicide’s safety and finds no link to cancer.

However, juries involved in these cases have largely been unconvinced by Dr. Farmer's rationale, which is also endorsed by other experts during the trials. They have predominantly ruled against the arguments she has put forward.

Case Status:

Ongoing (Top Settlement is $10.9 Billion)

Defendants:

Bayer/ Monsanto

Injuries:

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other cancers

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All Roundups Updates

The 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Bayer's claim that federal guidelines for pesticide labeling should negate the need for state-mandated cancer warnings on Roundup products. This ruling weakens Bayer's defense strategy and might push the company towards settling a greater number of lawsuits.

Monsanto faces a major setback in the Roundup litigation with a $2.25 billion verdict in the McKivision trial, indicating a potential shift towards settling cases. Additionally, Monsanto's legal tactics, including challenging judges and introducing new experts, have been criticized and seen as irrational, while the scope of litigation expands with new trials and a nationwide class-action lawsuit in Canada.

Monsanto faced a new trial in California and suffered a significant legal defeat in Philadelphia, where a jury awarded over $3.4 million to a woman with NHL, linking her cancer to Roundup exposure. This marked Monsanto's fifth consecutive loss in such cases, with the jury finding the company's conduct negligent and reprehensible.

Monsanto is appealing a $175 million verdict in a Pennsylvania court over alleged failure to warn about Roundup's carcinogenic risks, arguing judicial bias and procedural errors. In a separate case, Monsanto settled a discrimination lawsuit by agreeing to eliminate immigration status considerations in future Roundup settlements.

The San Diego jury awarded $332 million in the Dennis Roundup cancer case, signaling a major shift in expectations for future litigation settlements. In a separate case, the Philadelphia jury awarded $175 million to plaintiffs in the Caranci case, with more details pending. These verdicts come amid increased legal and scientific examination of glyphosate.

The McCostlin lawsuit against Monsanto was dismissed after the plaintiff's expert testimony failed to sufficiently demonstrate that Roundup caused the plaintiff's non-Hodgkin lymphoma, marking Monsanto's ninth consecutive legal victory. The case was perceived as weak from the outset, suggesting a strategic pattern by Monsanto to contest less formidable lawsuits. However, expectations are shifting towards the upcoming Philadelphia case, where a substantial verdict or a significant confidential settlement is anticipated.

There are 4,222 active Roundup cancer lawsuits in federal court in California, a slight increase from the 4,212 Roundup cases in July. While Bayer, the owner of Monsanto, had proposed a $10.9 billion settlement for about 100,000 existing claims, a court decision has prevented them from settling all future Roundup lawsuit cases for an additional $2 billion.

New plaintiffs joined existing Roundup lawsuits, increasing the federal case count to 4,193, with the peak number previously reaching 4,630. Bayer also settled environmental deception claims related to Roundup. On June 15, 2023, Bayer agreed to a $6.9 million settlement with the New York Attorney General.

Two significant events occurred: Monsanto secured its seventh straight court victory in St. Louis, Missouri, against a plaintiff named Sharlean Gordon. Also, 4,176 cases remained pending in California’s federal multidistrict litigation (MDL).

Monsanto celebrated its fifth back-to-back court win in St. Louis, Missouri.

Judge Vince Chhabria of San Francisco ruled against Bayer’s offer of $2 billion meant to resolve future Roundup cancer claims.

Bayer proposed a hefty $10.9 billion settlement to close about 100,000 existing Roundup lawsuits.

A jury in California state awarded a staggering $2 billion to a plaintiff claiming harm from Roundup.

Another California jury awarded $80 million to a different plaintiff in a Roundup case.

A California state jury granted $289 million to a plaintiff alleging injuries from Roundup use.

Roundups Lawsuit Frequently Asked Questions

At this time, many Roundup weed killer lawsuits have already been settled. However, new Roundup cases are still being filed, and lawyers are continuously accepting new clients who meet the eligibility criteria.

It can take up to 3 years to receive money from a Roundup lawsuit settlement. Although settlements have already been made in Roundup cancer lawsuits, it may take a few years to settle all of the remaining claims, especially since there are many ongoing Roundup lawsuits.

Finding an attorney experienced in Roundup lawsuits is easy with our assistance. All you need to do is fill out our contact form. One of our representatives will be in touch to match you with an attorney who specializes in Roundup lawsuits. We’re here to aid you on your journey toward justice. Don’t hesitate to reach out.

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