Even though the active ingredient in the weed killer Roundup has been classified as a probable carcinogen by numerous government agencies, the weed killer continues to be used across the country in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings. Worse yet, it is believed that thousands of individuals have developed deadly health conditions and diseases that can be connected to this herbicide.
Thankfully, today, these individuals can bring legal action against the manufacturers of this weed killer and go after financial recovery for their harm and losses. However, to better help you understand these legal options, we have prepared the following blog post. In it, we will walk you through everything you need to know about these Roundup lawsuits, including what you need to do to join one and how an experienced Roundup attorney can help you fight for your rights and the justice you are entitled to.
The Legal Issues Surrounding Roundup
Roundup is one of the most widely used weed killers in the United States. However, this herbicide is known to contain the active ingredient glyphosate, which is considered a probable carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Yet, while this finding created a lot of discussions about the link between the herbicide and cancer, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stayed firm in its decision that glyphosate is safe to use.
Yet, even with these conflicting opinions, courts have been hearing countless lawsuits regarding the connection between glyphosate exposure and cancer and have even awarded millions of dollars to those who suffered these devastating cancer diagnoses, blaming the chemical for the plaintiffs’ health issues and problems.
The Many Ways You Could Have Consumed Glyphosate
One of the significant issues with the Roundup product is that you do not have to work directly with the weed killer to suffer the consequences of exposure to this herbicide.
In truth, individuals could have:
- Breathed air contaminated with glyphosate, which is typical for those who work and live on a farm and use this weed killer regularly
- Ate food contaminated with glyphosate
- Drank glyphosate-contaminated water, especially since the weed killer can seep into the groundwater and containment wells that people use for drinking water
- Touched glyphosate-contaminated objects or plants
Consequently, even if you did not work with these products, you may still have been exposed to glyphosate and developed cancer or other debilitating health conditions.
For these reasons, if you have been diagnosed with cancer or another serious health condition and believe it can be linked to your Roundup exposure, reach out to an experienced Roundup lawyer as soon as possible. These attorneys can help you figure out if you have a valid legal case and determine what legal actions you should take next.
The Different Roundup Lawsuits
Most of the Roundup lawsuits being filed against Monsanto, the maker of the weed killer, are from those diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or other similar diseases. Additionally, these individuals are those who have been regularly exposed to this weed killer, primarily because they work with it.
However, while each of these lawsuits may include different facts, most of these suits allege:
- Monsanto knew there was a link between the herbicide and it being a potential cancer causer.
- The herbicide failed to warn consumers about the risks of using the product, primarily the cancer risks.
- Exposure to Roundup can cause cancer.
- Monsanto misled the public, agriculture workers, and even governmental agencies regarding the herbicide’s safety.
As of today, most of these cases have been settled, and a handful of them have gone to trial, resulting in significant judgments on behalf of the plaintiffs.
Do You Qualify to Bring a Roundup Lawsuit?
If you have been exposed to Roundup regularly and developed cancer after using this herbicide, you may qualify to pursue a Roundup lawsuit. It should also be noted that this eligibility can also extend to family members.
For instance, these lawsuits can be brought by agriculture workers, landscapers, park and recreation staff, and groundskeepers who have been exposed to glyphosate and developed cancer. However, if your loved one passed away from cancer and you believe this cancer was due to their Roundup exposure, you can also pursue legal action against Monsanto and claim that Roundup caused their death.
Yet, if you want to know your specific legal options when it comes to your health issues and Roundup use, it may be best to reach out to an experienced Roundup attorney. These legal professionals can review your situation, figure out whether you can file a Roundup lawsuit, and help you prepare the strongest legal case to go after the maximum financial damages you are entitled to.
The Financial Damages You Can Pursue When You File a Roundup Lawsuit
If you are able to bring a Roundup lawsuit, you will be able to pursue certain types of monetary damages. These damages are often broken down into different categories, including economic and non-economic damages, and include payment for the following losses:
Economic Damages
These damages refer to the actual losses that individuals suffered.
They include payment for:
- Medical bills resulting from doctor office visits, hospital stay, medications, surgeries, and other types of treatments that may be needed for the health conditions that resulted from the Roundup exposure
- Lost wages, earning capacity, and business income
- Occupational and physical therapy expenses
- Nursing home or hospice care fees
- Costs related to domestic replacement services, including at-home care
- Other out-of-pocket costs
Non-economic Damages
These damages refer to the rather subjective losses that occur following an incident.
They include payment for:
- Pain and suffering, including mental anguish and distress
- Reputation loss
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Inconvenience due to the issues that resulted from the exposure
- Humiliation
However, the specific damages an individual can obtain will usually depend on their individual circumstances. For these reasons, it is usually a good idea to discuss your situation with an experienced Roundup lawyer who can help you figure out not only whether you can pursue legal action but also determine which of these damages you can go after and help you recover the most compensation possible.
The Average Roundup Lawsuit Payout
Right now, because the majority of these Roundup lawsuits are filed as individual cases, the payout will usually depend on the case’s unique factors.
As a result, the court will often review these factors when deciding how much compensation a plaintiff should receive:
- The plaintiff’s age
- The type of condition or cancer the plaintiff has
- The pre-existing conditions of the individual
- The plaintiff’s total Roundup exposure, including the total amount of time they had been exposed and the concentration of this Roundup exposure
- The total extent of the plaintiff’s medical care expenses
- The lost wages the plaintiff suffered from not being able to work due to their health issues
- The impact the Roundup had on the overall quality of the plaintiff’s life
Thankfully, when you work with a knowledgeable Roundup attorney, these lawyers are dedicated to getting you the best possible results, meaning they will try to do whatever it takes to get your case in a position where they can get you a top outcome.
The Statute of Limitations to File a Roundup Lawsuit
If you believe you have a viable Roundup legal claim and want to go after financial recovery, the law limits your time to file this suit.
According to the statute of limitation regulations, which differ based on the type of claim being filed, as well as the state, individuals bringing a Roundup lawsuit will have a specific amount of time to file their suit. If they fail to file it within this statutory time period, they can be barred from pursuing legal action to obtain the money and justice they and their loved ones deserve.
As a result, if you are considering taking legal action for the harm and losses you suffered due to your Roundup usage or exposure, you should not wait too long to file your legal claim. Instead, you should go over your case with an experienced Roundup lawyer as soon as possible to figure out how much time you have to file your lawsuit. Your lawyers can also ensure that your legal documents and motions are correctly prepared and filed with the appropriate court before this period expires.
Can You File a Roundup Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Losing a Loved One?
Unfortunately, there have been quite a few individuals who have passed away from cancers and other health conditions that were the result of their exposure to Roundup. And while no amount of money can bring these individuals back or ease the pain associated with these losses, there are legal options that you can take to give you the peace of mind that justice has been obtained and give you the opportunity to secure the money you need to help you start rebuilding your life.
For these reasons, if your loved one, such as your spouse, parent, or child, died because of a health condition related to their Roundup exposure, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit against Monsanto and go after compensation that can help your family deal with the substantial expenses that resulted from this loss.
Bringing an Individual Roundup Lawsuit Versus a Class Action Lawsuit
Although most Roundup lawsuits have been individual cases, there have also been several class-action lawsuits brought against Monsanto. However, most of these class actions are still pending.
A class action lawsuit is a type of legal action where one of the parties is a group of people who are represented collectively by a member or members of that group, and these individuals represent all the people affected by the same issue. If these representatives win, everyone else in the class action will also win.
The class-action suits that are currently pending against Monsanto deal with the false and misleading information on the Roundup label and do not involve personal injury or wrongful death allegations. Instead, they focus on the company’s continued claims that Roundup targets specific enzymes found in plants and does not hurt humans or pets.
Let an Experienced Roundup Attorney Help You Figure Out Whether You Can Join a Roundup Lawsuit
If you are considering bringing a Roundup lawsuit, you should speak to a knowledgeable Roundup lawyer as soon as you can. These claims not only deal with complex issues, but the other side will likely have numerous skilled attorneys ready to find anything they can use against you to deny your case.
Fortunately, when you retain a Roundup attorney, you will not have to take on this complicated legal battle by yourself.
Instead, these attorneys can:
- Review the facts of your case, figure out if you are able to bring a lawsuit, and determine your next legal steps.
- Answer all your questions regarding your claim and what you may expect from your suit.
- Thoroughly investigate your claim and gather the evidence needed to prove that your exposure to the Roundup resulted in your cancer or other serious health issues.
- Handle the settlement negotiations and go after the just amount you and your loved ones are entitled to.
- Proceed to take your case to trial if you cannot obtain a fair settlement amount, and fight for the maximum compensation you need.
If you suffered devastating health- conditions because of your exposure to the Roundup weed killer, now is the time to fight back and go after the justice and damages you and your family deserve. Contact an experienced Roundup lawyer today to schedule a free case consultation and learn how these attorneys can help you with your claim.
Gabriel Levin - Attorney
Gabriel Levin is a highly experienced and credible attorney with over 10 years of practice in Pennsylvania. Known for his tenacity, he has represented clients in a wide range of civil matters, trying hundreds of cases. He prepares each case as if it will go to trial, ensuring meticulous attention to detail.
Unlike many firms that delegate tasks, Levin personally handles every aspect of a case and maintains open communication with clients throughout. He has secured millions in compensation, making him a reliable choice for those seeking legal representation.
Learn More