A federal jury in the United States District Court in San Francisco found that Monsanto’s popular weed killer Roundup played a role in causing a California man’s cancer.
As part of the first phase in the case, the six-member jury came to a unanimous verdict that Roundup was a “substantial factor” in causing Edwin Hardeman’s cancer. In the second phase, the jury awarded $80 million to Mr. Hardeman.
Mr. Hardeman used Roundup to limit weeds and poison oak on his property for 26 years, and in 2015, he discovered that he had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. His legal team claimed that Monsanto knew or should have known that Roundup causes cancer, and the company manipulated public opinion to downplay the health risks.
Monsanto Faces Thousands of Roundup Lawsuits
This case is only the second of around 11,200 Roundup lawsuits to go to trial in the United States. In August, a California jury determined that Monsanto failed to warn a school groundskeeper of the risks of cancer by Roundup, which he used as part of his job as a pest control manager. In that case, Monsanto was ordered to pay $289 million in damages. Later, a judge reduced the award to around $80 million, alleging that the jury’s award was too high. Monsanto is currently appealing the case.
Recent litigation has had a significant effect on the performance of Bayer AG. The company’s shares fell more than 12 percent after the verdict, marking the biggest intraday loss in 16 years.
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What is Glyphosate and What are its Health Effects?
Glyphosate is a common ingredient used in herbicides, and it is the active ingredient in Roundup weed-killing products. Although Roundup was the first glyphosate-based weed killer, it is no longer patent-protected.
While glyphosate is an effective herbicide, it is also associated with serious health risks. Researchers at Örebro University Hospital in Sweden discovered that persistent human exposure to glyphosate may triple the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer stated that glyphosate was probably carcinogenic to humans. However, in December 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency issued an opposing assessment that said glyphosate was most likely not carcinogenic.
Many towns and cities in the United States have issued bans, restrictions, or warnings on glyphosates due to these health concerns. California was the first state to issue a warning on glyphosate and added it to the state’s list of chemicals and substances that may cause cancer. Recently, the city of Miami banned herbicides containing glyphosate to protect the public health and natural resources of the city.
Get Help on Your Product Liability Case Today
If you or your loved one is a victim of exposure to glyphosate or other toxic chemicals, consult one of our skilled attorneys. The team at Laborde Earles Law Firm is experienced in navigating product liability cases and could help you take legal action to pursue the compensation you deserve. Call today to schedule a consultation.
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