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Roundup is a non-selective herbicide that kills weeds which typically compete with crops. The active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, works by inhibiting an enzyme the plants require for growth. It is estimated that more than 185 million pounds of Roundup are used annually in the United States, making Roundup the most widely used herbicide in the U.S., and across the world. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen” in 2015; it is widely believed that Monsanto has been aware of the link between Roundup and cancer for decades. The cancer most associated with exposure to glyphosate is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Glyphosate is not the only link between Monsanto’s Roundup and cancer; there are other toxic ingredients contained in Roundup which work synergistically to increase the toxicity of glyphosate.
In 2001, Monsanto scientist, Dr. Mark Martens made a rather alarming statement—“I don’t know for sure how suppliers would react—but if somebody came to me and said they wanted to test Roundup, I know how I would react—with serious concern.” Monsanto hired a professor at the University of Wales, Dr. James M. Parry, in 1999 to conduct a secret, internal safety review of glyphosate and Roundup. Monsanto decided to conduct this safety review because a study done a year earlier concluded that glyphosate had a destructive effect on laboratory animals. When the internal review was completed, Dr. Parry found that the chemical glyphosate caused oxidative damage to DNA which, in turn, could lead to cancer. Parry then asked Monsanto to engage in studies to determine whether glyphosate and the surfactant used had a synergistic effect, becoming more toxic when used together.
Monsanto, however, refused, with one of their top executives stating, “We simply aren’t going to do the studies suggested by Parry.” In the later Monsanto lawsuits, this fact became a critical issue—the fact that Monsanto had refused to perform the safety testing suggested by their own scientist. In today’s Monsanto lawsuits, the attorneys for the plaintiffs are primarily claiming that Monsanto has been aware for more than three decades of the link between Roundup and cancer, yet made a conscious decision to keep the public in the dark, Even worse, Monsanto marketed Roundup as being “as safe as table salt,” practically non-toxic to humans, fish, birds, bees, and pets. Monsanto even went as far as to create false data, attacking legitimate studies which exposed the dangers of Roundup. Some documents presented at trials also show that Monsanto colluded with the EPA to squash the studies showing a connection between cancer and Roundup exposure.
Roundup Side Effects and Dangers
The most severe glyphosate exposure side effect is cancer, specifically non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, B-cell lymphoma, and leukemia. Those with the highest risk of developing these cancers are farmworkers or other individuals who are routinely exposed to Roundup (landscapers, those who work in nurseries, garden center employees, etc.). The exposure comes from breathing in the glyphosate as the herbicide is mixed, sprayed, or cleaned up. Others may have exposure to glyphosate through drinking water or food which has been contaminated with the chemical. As many as 70,000 people across the United States are diagnosed annually with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Symptoms associated with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include appetite loss, chest pain, night sweats, stomach pain, fever, swollen lymph nodes. Those diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include radiation, biological therapies, stem cell transplants, and chemotherapy. Other potential dangers of the glyphosate found in Roundup include:
- IBS (inflammatory bowel disease);
- Colitis;
- Autism;
- Liver and kidney damage;
- Reproductive disorders;
- Parkinson’s Disease;
- Respiratory disorders;
- Multiple Sclerosis;
- Diabetes, and
- Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).
In addition to the assessment by the IARC that glyphosate is a probable human carcinogen, a 2014 study on the relationship between occupational exposure to agricultural pesticides—including glyphosate—and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The study showed a “statistically significant” association between the exposure to Roundup experienced by farmworkers and the development of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
A study done in 2008, found that exposure of 10 or more days a year to Roundup effectively doubles an individual’s risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This means that even homeowners or hobby farmers who may use Roundup around their home could be exposed to enough Roundup glyphosate to play a significant role in the development of cancer. Roundup Original is about 41 percent glyphosate, Roundup Pro is about 50.2 percent glyphosate, and Roundup QuikPRO is 73.3 percent glyphosate.
Roundup and the FDA
Although the EPA is charged with protecting human health, there has long been concern regarding the agency’s ties to Monsanto. The last assessment of Roundup done by the EPA was conducted in 1993, meaning the EPA has relied almost entirely on industry-funded studies, also failing to analyze epidemiological data. A collective group of documents known as the Monsanto Papers shows possible collusion between EPA officials and Monsanto to quash another U.S. agency’s review of the potential dangers of glyphosate.
The First Monsanto Trial
A jury in California awarded more than $289 million to a Bay Area man who sued Monsanto after he developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Dewayne “Lee” Johnson alleged the Roundup he sprayed over the years he worked as a groundskeeper for the Benicia Unified School District was responsible for his cancer. The jury in Johnson’s case ordered Monsanto to pay $39.2 million in compensatory damages and $250 million in punitive damages for its failure to warn consumers about the link between Roundup exposure and cancer. Since only a governmental entity can ban a chemical, the purpose of lawsuits such as the one filed by Dewayne Johnson is to hold corporations like Monsanto accountable for failure to warn the public about potential dangers.
What are the Monsanto Papers?
During the discovery phase of Monsanto trials, including Dewayne Johnson’s trial, a collection of internal Monsanto documents was compiled, and are now known as the Monsanto Papers. The Monsanto Papers include previously undisclosed information regarding glyphosate and its effect on the human body. Some of the primary revelations in the Monsanto Papers include the fact that there was little testing on the part of Monsanto to determine the toxicity of Roundup. Further, Monsanto actively avoided such testing so no doubt would be cast on one of their biggest-selling products. The Monsanto Papers also show that Monsanto ghostwrote studies which were purported to be conducted by independent scientific researchers, and Monsanto even implanted a PR strategy to attack scientists who questioned the safety of Roundup or glyphosate.
FAQs Regarding Monsanto’s Roundup
Why should I consider filing a Roundup lawsuit?
If you have received a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma following Roundup exposure, you could be dealing not only with your illness but also with serious financial strain resulting from expensive medical care and lost wages.
What are the differences between a Roundup class-action lawsuit and an individual Roundup lawsuit?
If you file an individual lawsuit against Monsanto, seeking compensation for personal injuries sustained as a result of Roundup exposure, you are basing your lawsuit on the fact that Monsanto was aware of the link between Roundup exposure and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, yet failed to warn consumers.
What can I expect in the way of compensation from a Roundup cancer lawsuit?
Dewayne Johnson’s lawsuit was the first Monsanto Roundup lawsuit and was heard by a San Francisco jury with a resulting verdict in favor of Johnson for $289 million. Claims for damages, future verdicts, and settlements will, of course, vary according to the individual facts of each case, and the venue where the case is heard. The “typical” damages pursued by those filing a Monsanto Roundup case include:
- Medical expenses, including those for a physician, hospital, medications, surgical procedures and any other medical expenses associated with the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma;
- Lost wages, past and current;
- Reduced earning capacity;
- Pain and suffering;
- Wrongful death (if a loved one died as a result of non-Hodgkin lymphoma due to Roundup exposure), and
- Punitive damages in some cases.
How much time do I have to file a Monsanto Roundup lawsuit?
There are statutes of limitations that vary from state to state. The statutes of limitations determine how long you have to file a personal injury claim, and if you exceed that time, you may be forever barred from receiving compensation for your injuries. The statutes of limitations in the state of Colorado is two years from the time of the injury or death—or from the time the injury was discovered or should have reasonably been discovered.
How much does it cost to hire a Roundup cancer attorney from the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, LLC?
It will cost you absolutely nothing upfront when you retain the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, LLC to represent you in your Monsanto Roundup cancer lawsuit. We will represent you in your claim against Monsanto on a contingency fee basis, meaning we will only receive a percentage of the amount recovered on your behalf from a settlement.
How the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya Can Help with Your Monsanto Roundup Claim
If you have developed cancer as a result of using Monsanto Roundup, the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya can help. We understand you are going through a difficult, emotional time. After all, your injuries resulting from Roundup exposure are not your fault. If Monsanto had warned those using Roundup of the potential risks involved, it is likely you would not have used the herbicide at all. When your Roundup injuries and illnesses are due to the negligent actions of a company who knew the risks yet refused to disclose them to the public, you may be entitled to file a Monsanto Roundup claim. Injuries resulting from Roundup exposure can leave you anxious, stressed, frustrated, and even angry. Dianne Sawaya is a smart, aggressive, compassionate attorney you can trust and turn to following a personal injury.