As a popular weedkiller, Roundup has been extensively used by homeowners and farmers alike in their gardens, lawns, and fields. It gets used for killing certain grasses and plants and managing how plants grow. Mostly, it has been considered safe, beneficial, and environmentally friendly. Learn more about Monsanto to Pay $1.5 Billion for Roundup Lawsuit.
However, over the past few years, there has been negative feedback about this herbicide, with people filing lawsuits because of the health hazards they faced after using Roundup. Monsanto, the company that was acquired by Bayer, a German pharmaceutical brand, is currently facing over 9,000 lawsuits from plaintiffs across the United States.
This belief is affirmed by the stories of people like John Barton, a third-generation cotton farmer in California. He said that over 30 years of his life he has sprayed nearly thousands of gallons of Roundup in his field, knowing that it was safe since no such warning was passed by the company. Later on, he realized that many people have been complaining about this herbicide and its side effects.
Recently, according to a Bloomberg report, Monsanto was asked to pay over $1.5 billion for legal claims that said the weedkiller led to cancer in users. In this article, we will delve deep into this matter, look into other side effects, and understand how to seek legal recourse.
Monsanto Pays Settlement Amount for Roundup Lawsuit
According to a news report by The Messenger, in November 2023, Dan Anderson, Valerie Gunther, and James Draeger individually received $61.1 million from the state court in Missouri. All three plaintiffs complained about non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that was a result of using Roundup for years while gardening.
Even in October 2023, the jury at Missouri State awarded a man who suffered from cancer due to Roundup exposure $1.25 million. However, Bayer wrote to The Messenger through an email that it had won 9 out of 13 trials. The company also added that most litigation claims have been resolved.
Bayer has been dealing with legal issues for Roundup since 2018. It is said that one of the active ingredients present in this herbicide is glyphosate, which kills plants that get exposed to it. The International Agency for Research on Cancer stated that this ingredient is the probable cause of cancer in humans.
If you keep track of the latest Roundup lawsuit update available online, you will know that Bayer, in 2020, decided to pay close to $10.5 billion to settle the claims. Records reveal that this weed killer made 100,000 people suffer from cancer. Being subject to several lawsuits, in November 2023, the company paid a $1.5 billion settlement amount for the massive damages that occurred.
Long-Term Health Hazards of Roundup
Farmers and homeowners who have been exposed to glyphosate for a short period need not worry about adverse health hazards. Some experts state that it is even less toxic compared to the daily table salt we use.
However, it’s the long-term use that one needs to be careful about. Since most of the studies have been done on animals rather than humans, the reports might be conflicting. But keeping in mind these studies and numerous anecdotal accounts, the health risks of Roundup include:
Cancer
There are contrasting views on this claim. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has already identified glyphosate as a human carcinogen. However, the Environmental Protection Agency said that it doesn’t pose much risk to humans if it gets used in the right direction.
Yet again, there are anecdotal accounts of people like Dewayne Johnson, a former school groundskeeper who has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas due to Roundup exposure. Hence, users must be wary of this herbicide and use it with caution.
Kidney and Liver Damage
Studies done on dairy cows reveal that high levels of glyphosate can result in kidney and liver damage.
Birth Defects
According to a study done in Argentina, regions that had higher Roundup concentrations resulted in increased birth defects. It also doubled the rate of miscarriages in these regions compared to others. Birth defects have also been noticed in baby pigs that consume soybeans, which have glyphosate residue. The same has been noticed in humans who resided near fields or farms where Roundup was extensively used.
Hence, if you have developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or any other cancer or ailment due to Roundup exposure, it is necessary to seek legal recourse. TorHoerman Law states that it is essential to contact a lawyer who can help you collect substantial evidence and create a strong case using the same. The lawyer also helps you navigate through the legal process without encountering any trouble and ensures you receive fair compensation.
Finally, it is necessary for all farmers and homeowners who have a garden or lawn and have used or are using Roundup to be aware of the health hazards that it leads to. Even though there is a need for more scientific studies and clinical trials, the stories shared by people like Dewayne Johnson and Dan Anderson cannot be overlooked.
If you sense any physical harm caused by this herbicide, get a medical assessment. Once the medical records affirm the correlation, you can seek legal assistance.
35 Comments on "Monsanto to Pay $1.5 Billion for Roundup Lawsuit: Side Effects of this Weedkiller"
Would you like to share your thoughts?
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *