Several juries have found that Roundup was responsible for causing cancer. Yet, according to recent news reports, farmers across the country remain committed to using the weed killer. More than 42,000 plaintiffs are currently pursuing product liability claims against Bayer, the weed killer’s manufacturer, alleging it caused cancer.
So far, three Roundup cancer victims have gone to trial, and all three have prevailed against the chemical company. However, many farmers are loyal to the product and refuse to consider another.
Why farmers choose Roundup
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is believed to be linked to cancer. It gained popularity because it is thought to be less toxic to humans than other weed killers– like paraquat and atrazine. In fact, it gained so much favor that the amount sprayed in 2016– 287 million pounds– was 20 times as much as that sprayed in 1992.
In the United States, 94 percent of current soybean crops and about 90 percent of corn and cotton crops are glyphosate-resistant. This means Roundup will kill weeds while leaving these crops unharmed. In addition, alternative weed killers require tilling, which increases erosion and the runoff of chemicals– that do not break down as readily as glyphosate.
The New York Times and other news outlets have interviewed farmers like Andy Bensend of Wisconsin and Lorenda Overman of North Carolina, who, despite this evidence, believe Roundup remains safe and far more efficient than other weed-killing options.
Cancer lawsuits related to Roundup
In 2018, German company Bayer AG bought Roundup manufacturer Monsanto for $63 billion. Since then, it has been found liable in three major trials:
- In August 2018, groundskeeper Dewayne “Lee” Johnson won a $289 million jury verdict in California. Johnson developed terminal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after spraying Roundup throughout his career.
- In March 2019, Edwin Hardeman was awarded $80 million by a federal court jury in San Francisco. The award was later reduced to $25 million. Hardeman developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after spraying Roundup around his property for 26 years.
- In May 2019, Alva and Alberta Pilliod, who both developed cancer after using Roundup for years on their three properties, won a verdict of $2 billion in the Alameda County Superior Court. The award was later reduced to $87 million.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken the position that glyphosate is not a carcinogen. However, in 2015, the World Health Organization said the chemical is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Twenty countries have banned herbicides that contain it.
Monsanto and its owner, Bayer, have faced accusations that while the scientific evidence has not yet conclusively established that glyphosate causes non-Hodgkins lymphoma, the company has turned a blind eye to the risks rather than investigate it thoroughly.
Contact Showard Law Firm today
The significant court victories on behalf of Roundup victims has prompted settlement talks with the manufacturer. Tens of thousands of cases may be settled in the near future, with amounts set aside to compensate additional individuals who come forward after an agreement is finalized.
If you or a loved one has developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or another cancer after long-term use of this weed killer, speak with a lawyer at Showard Law Firm today. We are here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Additional Roundup Resources:
- The Wall Street Journal, Despite Rulings, Farmers Remain Loyal to Bayer’s Roundup, https://www.wsj.com/articles/despite-rulings-farmers-remain-loyal-to-roundup-11553175429
- New York Times, Weedkiller Is Blamed for Cancers, but Farmers Say It’s Not Going Away, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/business/bayer-roundup.html
