Monsanto, the company that manufactures Roundup, is facing thousands of lawsuits for exposing consumers to a cancer-causing chemical. Roundup is the largest selling herbicide in the world and an estimated 1.4 billion pounds of it are used in over 160 countries every year. The main component in Roundup is glyphosate, which has been found to cause serious health complications, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Health complications from Roundup can be caused by inhaling the product or through direct skin contact. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against Monsanto, and the latest verdict is a hopeful sign for the other cases awaiting trial.
In January 2016, a former school groundskeeper, Dewayne Johnson, filed a lawsuit against Monsanto. He developed terminal non-Hodgkin lymphoma after regularly using Roundup during his work as a groundskeeper. A California jury awarded Johnson $289 million dollars, of which $39 million was for compensation and the remaining $250 million was for punitive damages. The jury’s verdict was based on their determination that Monsanto intentionally hid Roundup’s risk for cancer from consumers.
After this verdict, Monsanto requested a new trial, however, the judge denied this request. In October 2018, the judge lowered the amount Monsanto is required to pay to $78.5 million, but maintained the jury’s decision that Monsanto ignored warnings and evidence that Roundup could cause cancer. This landmark decision could be a precedent for the other cases that are awaiting trial. Since the jury found Monsanto liable for Roundup causing cancer, it is likely that juries for other cases will feel the same way. This lawsuit is just the beginning of Monsanto’s legal battle. Monsanto is currently facing over 9,000 similar lawsuits, and this number keeps growing.
Monsanto has jeopardized the health of many consumers who use Roundup on a regular basis, including farm workers, agricultural workers, and home users. Monsanto put profit before the health and safety of their customers. Monsanto allegedly had reason to believe that their product could cause cancer, and may have even hid this information from the public. The company consistently promoted the safety of their product despite evidence supporting otherwise. Monsanto should be held accountable for their negligence.
If you or a loved one used Roundup and developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma, call the Law Offices of Rudolph F.X. Migliore. These types of lawsuits often put victims in a vulnerable position, and we want to help. We are with you through every step of the legal process and take the time to answer any questions you have along the way. Our office is your point of contact. Call the Law Offices of Rudolph F.X. Migliore at 631-543-3663 to schedule a free consultation.