Roundup is a well-known brand name herbicide widely used in the agriculture industry and in residential landscaping for decades. Roundup recently became equally well-known because of mass legal action against the company. So, what is the lawsuit against Roundup?
The primary active ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate. This synthetic chemical has been shown to cause cancer in humans. Exposure to this cancer-causing chemical through the use of Roundup could lead to serious illnesses for a variety of people, including the possibility of death.
By bringing a lawsuit against the manufacturer of Roundup, you may be eligible to receive compensation for pain, suffering, and medical bills related to illnesses you may have developed after using Roundup.
The Dangers of Glyphosate
As an herbicide, glyphosate works to kill plants and grasses. Upon application to plants, the chemical sticks to the leaves, preventing them from working properly, killing the plant.
Roundup is an extremely popular product. In agriculture, farmers often plant glyphosate- and herbicide-resistant crops. They then use Roundup on the entire field, eliminating unwanted weeds and other plants.
In residential and commercial landscaping, people apply Roundup to remove unwanted grasses, weeds, and other plants from certain areas of the garden.
Glyphosate May Cause Cancer
In a 2016 report, a joint meeting between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization looked at multiple studies on the effects of long-term exposure to glyphosate on humans. The report says the risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma increases after some exposure to glyphosate.
Other types of cancer that may develop after exposure to glyphosate and Roundup include:
- Leukemia
- B-cell lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
Symptoms of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer where tumors develop in the body’s lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell used to fight diseases in the human body. Symptoms may include:
- Swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
- Swelling or unexplained pain in the abdomen
- Unexplained pain in the chest
- Respiratory problems, including coughing
- Fatigue or exhaustion that does not go away
- Fever and sweating at night
- Weight loss
If you notice any of these symptoms or believe that you have been exposed to Roundup to a harmful degree, you should inform your doctor. They may screen you for the presence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or other conditions that may be related to Roundup use. A link in your medical record connecting your injuries to Roundup use could become important evidence in your Roundup lawsuit.
Understanding Exposure to Roundup
Although almost anyone who has used Roundup could develop long-term problems like cancer, the professions with the most exposure to agricultural pesticides — such as farmers, landscapers, and workers in other agricultural jobs — could be at an increased risk.
Even so, individuals who bought and used Roundup on their own lawns, sprayed Roundup, or cleaned up after using Roundup could have been exposed.
Failure to Warn Consumers
Consumers can bring a lawsuit against the current owner of the Roundup brand, Bayer, because it may have failed to provide adequate warning about the possibility of developing cancer after exposure to Roundup.
Bayer purchased the company that developed glyphosate, Monsanto, which means Bayer is now the defendant in lawsuits regarding Roundup.
Lawsuits against Monsanto allege that the company may have known for more than 30 years that glyphosate had the possibility of causing cancer. However, the company chose to avoid informing consumers of this information, creating liability in how the company marketed Roundup.
Protect Your Right to Seek Compensation
If you believe glyphosate and Roundup led to your diagnosis of cancer or other illnesses, you have the right to seek compensation. You may be able to join other victims in a multidistrict litigation (MDL), or group lawsuit, against Roundup, or you may be able to sue individually.
If your lawsuit against Roundup can successfully prove that its negligence caused your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., we know how devastating a diagnosis of cancer can be for you and your family. You may have a lot of questions and concerns that you would like to discuss about how to proceed.
We are happy to answer your questions regarding what the lawsuit against Roundup is about when you call our firm at (631) 600-0000 for a free consultation. We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means we do not charge any fees to begin working for you. Our payment only comes as a percentage of your settlement or awards in court if you win.
