By Joe Fantini June 11, 2019

Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer is the most widely used pesticide in the world. Unfortunately, multiple scientific studies have found that exposure to Roundup increases the risk of cancer. There’s evidence to suggest that Monsanto knew about the risk but decided not to pass that information along to the public. Instead, it intentionally misled consumers about the dangers associated with its money-making pesticide.

Now Monsanto is facing more than 13,000 product liability lawsuits in state and federal courts across the country. The lawsuits claim that that glyphosate – the active ingredient in Roundup – is carcinogenic. They also accuse Monsanto of failing to warn consumers about this serious risk.

What is Roundup?

Roundup is a broad-spectrum pesticide, which means that it will kill almost vegetation it touches. It revolutionized the pesticide market when it was introduced in the 1970s. Back then, most of the pesticides were selective. As a result, farmers and groundskeepers had to use multiple pesticides at one time. Roundup and its active ingredient glyphosate solved that problem.

If Roundup kills everything, how do farmers make sure that it doesn’t kill their crops? Monsanto developed genetically modified (GM)) seeds that were resistant to the weed killer. When applied, Roundup killed weeds but left the GMO crops intact.

Today, more than 300 million pounds of the pesticide are sprayed on crops and fields around the world every year.

Why Are People Filing Roundup Injury Lawsuits?

Researchers have analyzed the potential health risks associated with exposure to glyphosate and Roundup. Several studies from around the world have concluded that (a) glyphosate is probably carcinogenic and (b) exposure to glyphosate, particularly when combined with other chemicals, increases the risk of developing cancer.

In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic in humans.” In other words, exposure to or consumption of glyphosate will probably promote the growth of cancer cells in the body.

This was interesting news for thousands of people who had been diagnosed with cancer after being exposed to or using Roundup for years. Additional evidence suggested that Monsanto not only knew about this health risk, but actively worked to keep this information from consumers. Internal company documents reveal that Monsanto may have ghostwritten studies, colluded with government officials, and buried harmful studies.

Roundup victims have taken matters into their own hands and filed lawsuits against Bayer, which recently acquired Monsanto. The lawsuits allege:

Many of the lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDLs). This means that cases based on similar facts and evidence are merged together and tried before a single federal judge. The MDL helps to streamline the process, allows plaintiffs to share information, and encourages settlement discussions.

Have There Been Any Roundup Injury Lawsuit Settlements?

Three Roundup injury lawsuits have gone to trial in California. All three have yielded jury verdicts against Monsanto. Plaintiffs have been awarded more than $2.159 Billion in damages.

 

 

Several other Roundup injury lawsuits are scheduled to go to trial. Bayer has been ordered to attempt to mediate the outstanding claims. The company may be inclined to settle to prevent future multi-million dollar losses in court.

Do I Have a Roundup Injury Lawsuit?

You might have a legitimate Roundup injury lawsuit if you’ve:

Roundup may not just cause cancer. It’s also been associated with other health issues, including asthma, autism, dementia, and cardiovascular heart disease.

An experienced Roundup injury lawyer can help you understand your legal rights. Do not hesitate to speak with an attorney if you believe that you’ve been injured after exposure to Roundup weed killer.