Roundup Weed Killer Faces Scrutiny

June 25, 2019June 26, 2019 Agnes Green Law

Is Roundup safe to use? The EPA says there are no risks to using the popular weed killer. However, scientific experts, environmental groups and thousands of plaintiffs allege that the controversial herbicide is linked to cancer.

If you have been exposed to a chemical or other harmful product and have developed a life-threatening illness, it is important to seek the services of an experienced product liability lawyer to help you fight for the justice you deserve.

Weed Killer in the Courts

In March 2019, a California man was awarded $80 million after taking the manufacturer of Roundup, Bayer AG, to trial. The claim was that his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was caused by exposure to the weed killer.

The jury found that Roundup has a defect and that Bayer was negligent and did not warn the public of the product’s risks.

In the first trial against Roundup, in 2018, there was scientific testimony from experts, including public health researchers and epidemiologists, regarding the safety of Roundup. Jurors awarded the plaintiff, a 46-year-old school groundskeeper in California, $39 million in compensatory and $250 million in punitive damages.

Farmers, landscapers and home gardeners worldwide use Roundup on a regular basis to kill weeds. But despite the EPA giving the thumbs up to the weed killer, which contains glyphosate, a chemical that is believed to cause cancer, the legal battles continue.

Monsanto and Glyphosate

In the 1970s, the company Monsanto developed glyphosate, which has been used for decades in the United States and in over 160 other countries. Bayer, the pharmaceutical giant that invented aspirin, acquired Monsanto in 2018 and contends that glyphosate is harmless, based on the regulators and scientific studies that deem the chemical to be safe.

Many believe that Monsanto did not reveal evidence that Roundup is linked to a risk of developing cancer and that the company ghostwrote studies showing the product to be safe.

Advocates Against Roundup

In 2015, the cancer agency of the World Health Organization stated that glyphosate is a probable human carcinogen. Environmental groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, advocate against the use of Roundup, stating that it is not safe for the public to use.

Thousands of lawsuits against Bayer are currently pending. The German conglomerate has seen its stock price drop significantly since acquiring Monsoto. Bayer continues to stand behind its money-making herbicide.

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one has developed a life-threatening disease such as cancer because of a dangerous consumer product, you need to seek assistance through the legal system. At Saunders & Walker P.A., our experienced product liability lawyers can help you with the best defense to recover compensation for your product liability claim. Contact our firm at (727) 579-4500 today.