If you or a loved one has ever used Roundup and have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or another type of cancer, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The manufacturer of Roundup (Bayer) is presently facing thousands of lawsuits alleging that this weedkiller causes cancer – and a variety of other health problems – due to its active ingredient, glyphosate.
Filing a product liability lawsuit could result in financial compensation awarded to your family for the physical, financial and emotional suffering caused by this product. To discuss the possibility of a Roundup lawsuit with a lawyer in San Antonio, request a free consultation at the Law Offices of Maloney & Campolo at (210) 429-8051.
Why Choose Maloney & Campolo?
- We know how to achieve the best possible case results for each and every client that we serve. We are dedicated and aggressive personal injury lawyers on a mission to help you.
- Our lawyers can handle any case – big or small, simple or complex. We aren’t afraid of taking on major product liability lawsuits, class actions and powerful corporations.
- We accept roundup lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay us for our work or legal services unless we secure financial compensation on your behalf.
What Is Roundup?
Roundup is the brand name of an herbicide produced by Monsanto, which is now under the parent company Bayer. An herbicide is an agent – usually a chemical – that kills unwanted plants and vegetation (a weedkiller). Roundup was introduced to the market in 1976. Its main active ingredient is glyphosate, which is the most widely used herbicide in the United States. Roundup had exclusive patent rights on glyphosate until the year 2000.
What Is the Problem With Roundup?
Glyphosate is the main reason behind the current lawsuits against Bayer for Roundup. Studies dating back to 1985 show a connection between cancer and the glyphosate chemical. Data from a study conducted on mice in 1985 found a direct connection between tumor growth in mice and exposure to glyphosate. This study led the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to state at the time that glyphosate was “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
Since then, however, the EPA has changed its assessment to say that it is “unlikely to be a human carcinogen.” Yet the EPA is not the only organization that has chimed in on the potential health effects of glyphosate. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) stated in 2015 that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans,” based on what it called limited evidence of cancer in humans and sufficient evidence of cancer in animals. The IARC also concluded that there was strong evidence of genotoxicity, or damage to DNA.
Experts have also warned consumers that glyphosate is not the only potential health threat associated with Roundup. Another ingredient in this product is detergents, known as surfactants, that work with glyphosate to penetrate the surface of plants. The theory is that these detergents could also help glyphosate penetrate human skin, allowing it to reach the cells and damage DNA. This research – among other examples – is currently being used to support product liability claims against Roundup.
Common Injuries Associated With Roundup
Illnesses and injuries associated with Roundup have been diagnosed most often in those who use this weedkiller at work and are regularly exposed to it, such as farmers and landscapers. The most common health complaint is non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
This is a cancer that begins in the lymphatic system – most often, the lymph nodes. It occurs when the body produces an excess of abnormal lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). The symptoms of this illness can include fever, chest pain and stomach pain.
Although there have been debates about the toxicity of glyphosate, Roundup weedkillers have historically been associated with harm to numerous parts of the body, including the skin, liver, kidneys, gut, endocrine system, pancreatic system and metabolic pathways. Cancer may develop in any of these parts of the body with prolonged exposure to Roundup.
In addition, Roundup may cause DNA and chromosomal damage, birth defects, Parkinson’s disease, respiratory illnesses, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, heart disease, and many other serious illnesses.
Supreme Court’s Recent Rulings on Roundup Lawsuits
Bayer has denied allegations that Roundup causes cancer or is harmful to consumers in any way. It has been fighting related product liability claims from the beginning. Most recently, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal filed by Bayer to dismiss thousands of lawsuits and limit its legal liability on June 21, 2022.
Before this development, Bayer lost three Roundup trials and won four others. In the trials it lost, Bayer was required to pay the plaintiffs tens of millions of dollars in each trial. In its March annual report, Bayer stated that it had resolved about 107,000 cases out of the 138,000 that were pending.
The lawsuits against Bayer argue that the company should have warned customers of the risk of cancer, while Bayer says that it should not be penalized for marketing a product that has been deemed safe by the EPA. In June 2022, a federal appeals court ordered the EPA to take another look at whether glyphosate poses a health risk to humans. This is still an ongoing legal matter that is constantly evolving.
Damages Available for Roundup-Related Injuries
“Damages” is the legal term for the financial compensation that could be awarded for a victim’s economic and noneconomic losses in a product liability lawsuit. These are the losses that are associated with health problems linked to the use of Roundup, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Live-in care or a nursing aide
- Medications and medical devices
- Lost income and employment benefits
- Lost future capacity to earn
- Wrongful death benefits
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
It can be difficult to understand the value of your Roundup lawsuit without assistance from an attorney. Every case is entirely unique. Our Roundup lawsuit attorneys can help you determine how much your case might be worth, as well as the best way to move forward with a claim.
Contact Us Today
Roundup product liability lawsuits are ongoing in the United States. If you believe you have grounds to file a lawsuit or join a class action against Bayer for non-Hodgkin lymphoma or another type of illness connected to Roundup weedkiller, please contact the Law Offices of Maloney & Campolo for a free case consultation. We will carefully review your case and provide personalized legal advice. Call (210) 429-8051 or contact us online today.