On May 13, 2019, a California jury decided Monsanto’s Roundup® was the root cause of cancer in a couple who used the product for decades, ordering the company to pay the plaintiffs over $2 billion in damages. The jury’s decision came after 2 days of deliberations. Of the 12-member jury, 11 voted that the herbicide caused cancer, and it unanimously voted that Monsanto failed to adequately warn the public about the dangers of its product.
Constant Exposure to the Herbicide Led to Cancer Diagnosis
The couple used Roundup® on their 3 properties for over 40 years, and both developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The husband, who was diagnosed in 2011, was given only a few months to live; his cancer is now in remission. His wife was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2015. The couple’s attorneys said she will have to undergo chemotherapy her entire life.
The jury’s award compensates the couple for past and future medical bills, punitive damages, and non-economic damages that include pain and suffering.
Attorneys Alleged the Company Knew About the Health Risks of Roundup®
During the 17-day trial, the couple’s attorneys argued that Monsanto knew about the dangers of its product but covered up the health risks, ghostwriting scientific reports asserting that their product was safe. The lawyers also claimed that the company worked closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) while it was conducting studies regarding the safety of glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup®. The EPA has since reported that the herbicide is not a known carcinogen.
In a statement issued by Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in June of 2018, it said it was disappointed by the jury’s decision and planned to file an appeal.
The Company Is Appealing Decisions of Previous Cases
Bayer is currently appealing similar decisions in 2 other cases. In August of 2018, the company was ordered to pay a California grounds worker $289 million in damages (an amount later reduced to just under $80 million). Then, in March of 2019, a separate jury awarded a second California man $85 million for developing cancer after using Roundup® on his property for nearly 30 years.
Additional Roundup Cases Filed
Gardeners, farmers, landscapers, agricultural workers, and others who were constantly exposed to the herbicide have initiated Roundup® lawsuits alleging that Monsanto knowingly sold a harmful product that causes cancer.
Contact Edwards & Culver for Your Free Case Evaluation
If you were diagnosed with cancer after exposure to Roundup®, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit to recover compensation and hold Monsanto responsible for the harm it caused. Our attorneys at Edwards & Culver have over a century of combined experience helping individuals recover multi-million dollar settlements for harm caused by dangerous products and negligent companies. We are committed to providing the legal representation you need to get the settlement you deserve.
Discuss your case with one of our attorneys by calling us at (406) 215-4735 or contacting us online.