What is Roundup?

Roundup, a herbicide formulated to kill weeds and other vegetation has been marketed to homeowners as well as the agricultural industry for use by farmers, golf courses, and other commercial applications. The primary ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate.

Glyphosate glycine (N-phosphonomethyl) was first discovered in 1950. It was not until the early 1970s that Monsanto developed it as a broad-spectrum herbicide and sold it as Roundup. Its effectiveness in controlling weeds and other forms of unwanted vegetation led to its widespread farm, commercial and residential use. Such widespread use of the herbicide necessarily means that it finds its way into water supplies and the food that people consume. The results of a study reported by PBS showed that glyphosate was found in the urine of 93% of its participating subjects.

Monsanto, and now Bayer, have consistently represented Roundup as safe for use and denied that glyphosate is carcinogenic. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer designated glyphosate as a probable cause of cancer in humans. California added it to a list of chemicals the state maintains are carcinogenic.

According to the PBS report, one study found that workers in the agricultural industry with extensive exposure to glyphosate were at a greater risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma than individuals with limited exposure to the product.

Does Roundup cause cancer?

The classification of glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, as the probable cause of cancer in humans by the IARC and its subsequent inclusion by the state of California on its list of chemicals known to cause cancer serve as warnings of the risk of the herbicide poses to humans. Leukemia; different forms of lymphomas, including Non-Hodgkin lymphoma; and other types of cancer have been linked to the use of Roundup.

Some of the symptoms associated with lymphomas, which are cancers of the lymph glands and lymphatic system, may include:

• Swollen and enlarged lymph glands are commonly noticed in the armpit, groin, and neck areas of the body.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Unexplained fever or chills.
• Night sweats.
• Persistent fatigue.
• Shortness of breath.

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately to schedule a physical examination and proper diagnosis.

Do not assume that because any exposure you had to Roundup or other herbicides was limited that your health may not be impaired by it. One study concluded that exposure to Roundup for as little as 10 hours during the course of a year increases the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

What has happened in other Roundup lawsuits?

The PBS report about the dangers of Roundup and other herbicides mentioned two lawsuits as indicative of what is happening around the country in lawsuits filed for damages for the harm caused by Roundup. A jury in federal court in California awarded a judgment for $80 million to a man who developed cancer after using Roundup for 30 years on land he owned.

Jurors in a case brought in state court in California awarded damages to a man who claimed the non-Hodgkin lymphoma he developed was the result of his work as a groundskeeper for a school district. He claimed it was due to the extensive use of products made by Monsanto containing glyphosate.

The results in these or other cases should not be used as predictors of future outcomes. They do, however, indicate that jurors were persuaded by the evidence to award damages against the maker of Roundup. Damages that may be awarded in a case include the following:

• Costs associated with medical care and treatment.
• Expenses associated with anticipated future medical care.
• Lost wages.
• Lost future wages from diminished earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering.
• Punitive damages.

Your time to sue may be limited

Waiting to make a claim for harm caused by Roundup or other weed killers containing glyphosate could cause you to lose your right to compensation. The law imposes time limitations on pursuing a claim for damages against the manufacturer of a defective or dangerous product. You need to speak with a lawyer right away to make certain that your time to claim damages against the makers of Roundup does not expire.

How we can help

We are a legal marketing firm that connects people in need of a lawyer to pursue a claim for compensation for injuries caused by the use of Roundup or other harmful products. We put you in touch with experienced attorneys committed to aggressively fighting for the justice that you deserve.