Roundup Lawsuit Attorneys

If you or a loved one developed cancer due to Roundup weed killer, you might have a valid claim for damages against its manufacturer. The active ingredient in the product is glyphosate, which is classified as a probable carcinogen. Tens of thousands of people exposed to glyphosate have ended up developing cancer. If you have glyphosate exposure, contact an experienced product liability attorney who can help you pursue a Roundup lawsuit.

What Is Roundup?

Initially manufactured by Monsanto, Roundup was first introduced in the 1970s. Its popularity has increased over the years, and it is now one of the most popular weed killers on the market. Roundup’s agricultural-grade products’ growth continues to grow exponentially. According to estimates by the U.S Geological Survey, the use of glyphosate on crops in 1992 was around 13.9 million pounds. By 2016, that number grew to 287 million pounds.

Bayer acquired Monsanto in 2018. Today, Roundup is one of the flagship products, accounting for a significant amount of its profits. While the acquisition is complete and Bayer has dropped the Monsanto name in some regions, Monsanto will continue to operate as a separate legal entity in some countries.

Why Is Roundup Dangerous?

The active herbicide in Roundup is glyphosate, which has been linked to cancer in humans. This product is used by gardeners, agricultural workers, farmers, maintenance workers, and more. Monsanto has continually denied any health risks from exposure, including that Roundup causes cancer. Monsanto went so far as to run ads indicating that Roundup is safer than table salt. However, studies have shown that repeated glyphosate exposure can cause life-threatening medical problems, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Glyphosate is commonly found in herbicides because it will target certain enzymes in weeds to kill them without any risk to other plants. Those who use Roundup regularly, like landscapers or farmers, are exposed to higher levels of glyphosate. Exposure is not limited to breathing in the product while spraying crops either. Studies have shown detectable levels of glyphosate in a variety of popular food products.

Researchers found glyphosate contamination in 80% to 90% of commonly eaten wheat-based products like pasta, pizza, and crackers. Monsanto genetically engineered some foods to withstand Roundup effects, like corn and soybeans. Other products like lentils, wheat, oats, and barley are sprayed just before harvest as glyphosate will kill the crops and dry them out. This process allows farmers to harvest the crops sooner than if they died naturally.

Contamination has even been reported in other products like wines and beers. Even wineries who don’t use herbicides are finding trace amounts of glyphosate in the rainwater due to its use in conventionally farmed agricultural land.

Common Injuries from Roundup

Cancer is the primary health condition linked to Roundup exposure. Anyone who has regular contact with Roundup or another weed killer containing glyphosate has a higher risk of developing cancer. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the leading type of cancer associated with glyphosate, but there may be others as well. Some Roundup users have reported related cancer types, including:

• Lymphoblastic lymphoma,
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia,
• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma,
• Anaplastic large cell lymphoma,
• T-cell lymphoma,
• Follicular lymphoma,
• Burkitt lymphoma,
• Mantle cell lymphoma, and
• Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma attacks your lymphatic system with the development of tumors from lymphocytes. Like follicular lymphoma or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, other related cancers are considered a subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It’s believed that glyphosate causes cancer through damage to your DNA. If the DNA strand breaks, it can result in genetic damage, allowing cells to mutate and turn cancerous.

Roundup exposure can also lead to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress may cause cancer as well as other conditions like Parkinson’s disease or autism. Some victims have reported issues with chronic inflammation, which can also be a precursor to cancer.

Even limited exposure can cause immediate side effects. Herbicides like Roundup can cause skin or eye irritation. Some people report irritation in their nose and throat after breathing in the spray mist. If you somehow swallow a product with glyphosate, you might notice burning in your mouth and throat, increasing saliva, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea. There are reports of fatalities due to intentional ingestion.

Who Has a Claim Against Roundup?

Claims against Roundup are not limited to agricultural workers or landscapers who have consistent exposure to glyphosate, but they are some of the most affected. Anyone who has been consistently exposed to Roundup could be eligible to file a lawsuit. Some of the highest risk parties include:

• Farmworkers,
• Groundskeepers,
• Avid gardeners,
• Landscapers,
• Nursery workers,
• Garden center employees, and

A majority of lymphoma cases linked to glyphosate occur in older people, typically those 60 years old and over. If you believe you have health conditions related to Roundup weed killer, it’s imperative you seek medical assistance right away.

Why Isn’t Glyphosate Banned by the Government?

While many people have raised concerns on glyphosate for years, it wasn’t until 2015 that it was recognized as a “probable human carcinogen.” The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). It concluded there is a probable causal link between herbicides like glyphosate and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The five classifications for chemicals are:

• Group 1 is carcinogenic;
• Group 2A is probably carcinogenic;
• Group 2B is possibly carcinogenic;
• Group 3 is not classifiable; and
• Group 4 is probably not carcinogenic.

Under the IARC findings, glyphosate falls under the second-highest classification, Group 2A. Despite these conclusions, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) holds its position that glyphosate isn’t likely to cause cancer in humans. Therefore, the federal government does not ban it.

Although there is no federal ban on glyphosate, some counties and cities have passed local ordinances banning its use. California was the first state to issue a warning in 2017 when it added glyphosate to its Proposition 65 list of substances and chemicals known to cause congenital disabilities, cancer, or other reproductive harm.

Many people have started petitions in their states, pushing for a glyphosate ban. In the meantime, victims have begun holding Monsanto and Bayer accountable by filing their own Roundup lawsuits.

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