No, it it not too late to file a roundup lawsuit. Law firms across the country are actively working with clients whose exposure to Roundup chemicals led to health-related consequences. You can still file a lawsuit if you believe you suffered harm from Roundup use. With the right evidence and representation, you can seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact roundup claim lawyer today to discuss your claim.
Round Up Lawsuit Guide
- Why Is Roundup Dangerous?
- Major Roundup Lawsuits
- Roundup Exposure
- Can You File a Roundup Lawsuit?
- How to Prove You Used Roundup
- How to Prove Your Roundup-Related Cancer
- How to Prove Damages from Roundup Use
- How to File a Roundup Lawsuit
- Statute of Limitations for Roundup Lawsuits
- It’s Not Too Late to File a Roundup Lawsuit
Why Is Roundup Dangerous?
Roundup contains glyphosate, a highly effective herbicide that kills weeds that remove nutrients from the soil, thus reducing crop volume. Gardeners also use glyphosate to kill various unwanted plants and grasses.
Glyphosate is the most used herbicide in the world. In the United States, it appeared in the market as Roundup in 1974. Monsanto was the original manufacturer, but in 2018, the German biotech giant Bayer purchased the company.
Hundreds of thousands of farmers and gardeners have been using large volumes of Roundup across thousands of acres of land for many years. Its efficiency in ridding unwanted plants made it highly popular. Due to its significant use, many people were knowingly and unknowingly exposed.
In fact, in 2022, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) conducted a study that revealed measurable levels of glyphosate in 80 percent of urine samples in the USA.
Past studies on exposure claimed that glyphosate isn’t dangerous to people. However, newer research shows that it could be carcinogenic.
Studies show that exposure to Roundup can increase the risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer that develops in the lymphatic system) by 41 percent. Glyphosate may also cause leukemia, multiple myeloma, and other cancers.
Major Roundup Lawsuits
In 2015, The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a branch of the World Health Organization, first linked glyphosate to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
Since then, hundreds of thousands of victims have filed lawsuits against Bayer, which inherited all of Monsanto’s legal problems after the 2018 purchase. These suits have resulted in billions of dollars in settlements, and judgments as high as $86.7 million.
Not all Roundup lawsuits end with huge payouts. Many victims have received compensation between $5,000 and $100,000. However, each lawsuit sets a precedent for other settlements. While no one can guarantee what you can recover from a Roundup lawsuit, an experienced lawyer can represent you and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Roundup Exposure
For many years thousands of people have been using Roundup without concern for potential consequences. Many have been spraying the herbicide on their lawns and gardens on a regular basis.
Exposure occurs anytime the herbicide makes contact with your skin and eyes or you inhale its vapors.
Exposure and its consequences increase if you:
- Don’t wash your hands after using Roundup and eat or smoke afterward (this leads to inhalation and ingestion of glyphosate)
- Touch plants after spraying them (the product absorbs through the skin).
Roundup exposure doesn’t usually cause immediate severe reactions. You may experience mild irritation of your skin, eyes, and nose. If swallowed, the product may burn the mucous lining of your throat and cause diarrhea and nausea.
Washing your hands thoroughly after using the product decreases exposure risks. However, this doesn’t fully prevent the risk of associated illness.
People also experience Roundup exposure through food. Farmers spray Roundup on crops, and when harvested shortly after, it can get into the food you eat. Foods with the potential to contain glyphosate include oatmeal, granola bars, cereal, pasta, barley, chickpeas, beans, and many others.
Can You File a Roundup Lawsuit?
You may have suffered from exposure if you have been using Roundup for your personal gardening or farming needs.
You may claim compensation if you:
- Have one of the Roundup-linked cancers (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, B-cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, hair cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, etc.).
- You have used Roundup for residential purposes more than ten times in your lifetime.
- You used Roundup commercially (farmer, gardener, groundskeeper)
Remember that you may seek a Roundup settlement if you have lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the most common Roundup-caused cancer in this category. However, Roundup exposure may cause other lymphomas, so reach out to an attorney to discuss your case and determine if you are eligible to bring suit. Discuss your case with our team to learn how you can get a roundup lawyer today.
How to Prove You Used Roundup
The key to winning a Roundup lawsuit is to prove that you’ve used the herbicide. An attorney can advise on relevant evidence for the Roundup claim.
The most common documentation includes:
- Receipts - You can show paper receipts, online receipts, and credit card statements that show how much Roundup you purchased. The amount of Roundup is crucial to proving that it caused your medical condition.
- Invoices - If you used Roundup at work, you can demonstrate invoices and work orders that prove how much herbicide the company used.
Besides physical evidence, such as receipts and invoices, witness testimony can play an important role. People who have seen you use Roundup over the years can testify. For example, a neighbor who works in the yard next to yours can speak to your Roundup use.
You can also provide:
- Empty Roundup bottles.
- Photos of you using Roundup.
- Letters in which you referenced using the product.
- Anything else that supports your claim.
Consult an attorney to evaluate your evidence.
How to Prove Your Roundup-Related Cancer
If you believe that the use of Roundup caused your medical condition, you must demonstrate proof to the judge. To do that, you need:
A Clear Diagnosis
The main driving force behind your Roundup claim is the link between herbicide and cancer. That’s why you need to provide an official diagnosis from your oncologist.
While the most common cancer linked to Roundup is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, you can provide evidence of any cancer from the lymphoma category and its connection to Roundup exposure.
Provide Treatment Information
In addition to the doctor’s reports and diagnosis, you need to provide treatment documentation, including:
- Time of the initial diagnosis
- The course of treatment implemented
- Risk factors for the type of cancer you have (for example, family history)
You can provide doctor’s reports, appointment information, medical records, and other proof of your medical treatment.
If you discovered the problem recently and don’t yet have treatment records, don’t worry. The key document is still a doctor’s diagnosis. It can be sufficient to start legal action.
How to Prove Damages from Roundup Use
When you file a Roundup lawsuit, you must prove that you sustained damages from Roundup use. These damages can fall into two categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages
Economic damages are losses with a specific dollar value related to Roundup-related medical conditions.
They can include:
- Medical expenses including chemotherapy, hospitalization, doctor’s consultations, and medication.
- Lost wages or loss of income if you have to miss or quit work due to your condition.
- Cost for assistance with running your household
- Funeral and burial costs (if you are filing a wrongful death lawsuit for a loved one who died from Roundup-related medical problems).
To prove economic damages, you would need to provide such evidence as:
- Medical bills
- transportation receipts
- Receipts for at-home care and assistance
- W-2 forms
- Financial statements
- Medication receipts
Keep in mind that you can receive compensation for future expenses as well. Since cancers from the lymphoma category require long-term treatment, you will likely incur significant expenses as your treatment continues. Your attorney may hire an expert witness who can testify to your potential future expenses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are subjective and based on the intangible losses after your diagnosis.
For example, they can include:
- Emotional anguish
- Pain
- Loss of consortium (relationship)
- Disability
- Inability to participate in regular activities
An expert witness, personal journal, photos, testimony, and more can prove these damages. An attorney can help you determine which evidence supports these damages in your particular case.
The payout for non-economic damages is usually higher than for economic damages. That’s why proving their intensity can significantly impact the size of your settlement.
Punitive Damages
Roundup lawsuits are famous for large punitive damages. Punitive damages punish the wrongdoer for particularly egregious behavior. The jury may decide the company needs to pay only a few thousand dollars in economic damages but several million in punitive damages.
There is a significant precedent of sizable punitive damages awarded to Monsanto victims. If you hire an experienced attorney, they may be able to help you claim these damages as well.
How to File a Roundup Lawsuit
To file a Roundup lawsuit, you must have a diagnosis and evidence that backs your damages. Then you can file a claim. While it may be possible to recover damages without an attorney, you may risk losing out on significant compensation.
Bayer deals with tens of thousands of Roundup claims every year. Few end in large settlements or victory in court. Many cases are dismissed or result in tiny settlements.
The Bayer/Monsanto company has a large team of attorneys who work on these cases. Their key goal is to minimize losses. That’s why each Roundup case is a serious battle. Winning it without legal assistance on your side is nearly impossible.
Statute of Limitations for Roundup Lawsuits
The time you have to file a Roundup lawsuit is limited. A Roundup case is a personal injury lawsuit. Each state sets its own statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. For example, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, victims have two years, while in Florida, they have four years.
When the “clock” starts running on this period can differ from case to case. In some cases, it begins at the time of the diagnosis of your illness. In others, it may start when the adverse effects of Roundup became publicly known.
That’s why filing a lawsuit as soon as you know about your condition is imperative. An attorney can help you navigate the statute and ensure they file your suit on time.
It’s Not Too Late to File a Roundup Lawsuit
If you developed cancer after using Roundup, it’s not too late to file a lawsuit. Hundreds of affected people are pursuing legal action every day. While Roundup lawsuits are common, winning a case against Bayer’s extensive legal team can be extremely challenging without an attorney.
Many personal injury attorneys offer free Roundup case evaluations to answer your questions and determine your chances of receiving compensation. Contact an experienced Roundup attorney to learn more about your rights and take legal action before it’s too late.
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.
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