Monsanto, which since 2018 is owned by European pharmaceutical Bayer, is the main manufacturer of Round-up. Round-up, a glyphosate-based weedkiller, is currently at the center of a of a lawsuit in California in which plaintiffs alleged they developed cancer as a result of prolonged use of Roundup. After a long legal battle, plaintiffs in that California case have just been assured they will receive more than $86 million in damages after Monsanto was denied their appeal.

Roundup Lawsuit Update: A Known Link

Glyphosate has been deemed a probable cause of cancer to humans by the International Agency Research on Cancer (IARC). Moreover, a study published in the scientific journal Mutation Research showed a link between glyphosate exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), in some cases exposure increasing risk of developing NHL by 41%. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes. Two additional studies conducted in Sweden further observed this same link between glyphosate use and NHL.

The Appeal is Denied

On August 9, 2021, a California state appeals court upheld the decision of the lower court that gave an award of $86 million to a California couple who developed NHL after using Round-up in their backyard for more than 30 years. As a result, Monsanto has been found at fault for marketing a dangerous product and knew that Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate, could cause cancer and yet failed to disclose its danger.

The significance of this California decision is critical. This ruling came after Bayer indicated that it will replace glyphosate with an unspecified active ingredient subject to both federal and state approval for home use and stop selling the current version of Roundup for home use in the United States, beginning in 2023. Perhaps most important in the short term, however, is that this case is an indicator that those who have developed cancer as a result of long-term use of Round-up and who have filed actions are one step closer to being compensated for their damages.

It is important to note that Bayer still intends to sell Roundup with glyphosate for farm use. Further, one of the dissenting judges on the panel did not dispute Monsanto’s responsibility for the damages caused by its product but did not believe that the evidence showed that the company knew of the product’s dangers. Thus, all three judges agreed that Monsanto was responsible for the injuries suffered by the Plaintiffs.

Seeking Justice

Fearing that thousands of other lawsuits will result in the same manner, Monsanto’s parent company, Bayer, has offered to pay $10 billion to settle the thousands of lawsuits that have been filed throughout the country with an additional $2 billion for future lawsuits they expect to be filed soon. If you suffer from non-Hodgkin-lymphoma and have had long-term exposure to Round-up, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Do not delay any longer as a global settlement may be around the corner now.

Our team at Oppenheim Law recognizes the emotional burden these complicated matters can have on families. That is why our firm provides a team of professionals committed to zealously represent our clients.

Please feel free to call us at (954) 384-6114 or contact us at contactus@oppenheimlaw.com so we can inform you of your legal rights so you can obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.

From the Trenches,

Roy Oppenheim