The use of Roundup, a popular herbicide, has been a topic of controversy for years due to its active ingredient, glyphosate, being linked to health concerns such as cancer. The potential health risks associated with Roundup have led to numerous lawsuits against its manufacturer, Monsanto, which Bayer acquired in 2018.
These lawsuits claim that Monsanto knew about the potential health risks of glyphosate but failed to warn the public, leading to the development of cancer and other serious illnesses in those exposed to the herbicide. Concerns regarding the safety of the herbicide were heightened in 2015 when the International Institute for Research on Cancer (IARC) listed glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen.
As the lawsuits continue to unfold, it’s important to understand the current state of the Roundup lawsuits and what potential outcomes could mean for those who have been exposed to the herbicide.
Background of Roundup Lawsuits
The first Roundup lawsuit was filed in 2016 by a groundskeeper named Dewayne Johnson. Johnson had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and claimed that his use of Roundup on the job for several years caused his illness.
Johnson received $289 million in damages from the jury when the matter went to trial in 2018. According to a CNN news report, the verdict was later reduced to $78 million, which was accepted by the claimant in October 2018.
After the Johnson case, thousands of others filed lawsuits against Monsanto, the original manufacturer of Roundup. Many of these lawsuits alleged that Monsanto knew of the health risks associated with glyphosate but failed to warn consumers. In 2018, Bayer bought Monsanto, and the company inherited the Roundup lawsuits.
Bayer has continued to defend the safety of Roundup and glyphosate, citing numerous studies and regulatory agencies that have found the herbicide to be safe when used as directed.
The debate over the safety of Roundup and glyphosate is likely to continue for some time, with both sides presenting evidence to support their arguments. In the meantime, individuals who believe that Roundup caused their illnesses will likely continue to file lawsuits seeking compensation for their injuries.
Science Behind Roundup Lawsuits
The science behind Roundup lawsuits centers on the main ingredient in the product: glyphosate. Glyphosate is a weed killer that has been used for decades, but its safety has been questioned in recent years. Glyphosate was categorized as a “probable human carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2015.
This designation triggered a flood of lawsuits against Monsanto, alleging that the firm neglected to notify customers about the cancer risks connected with glyphosate.
However, the science behind glyphosate’s safety is still hotly debated. In 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a report stating that they had conducted significantly more extensive research than the IARC and found glyphosate to not be carcinogenic.
Other studies have found a link between glyphosate and cancer, and many plaintiffs in Roundup lawsuits claim that their cancer was caused by exposure to glyphosate.
The Outcome of Roundup Lawsuits
So far, the outcome of Roundup lawsuits has been mixed. In some cases, juries have awarded plaintiffs millions of dollars in damages. For example, in 2019, a California couple was awarded $2 billion in damages after they claimed that Roundup caused their cancer. However, many other cases have been dismissed, and Bayer has won some appeals.
For example, in November 2022, Bayer secured a sixth consecutive trial verdict in their favor in the St. Louis County Circuit Court in the Ferro trial after the jury found the evidence to be in favor of the company and gave out the verdict that Bayer was not responsible for the damages alleged by the plaintiff.
Bayer has also reached several settlement agreements in Roundup lawsuits. In June 2020, the company announced a $10.9 billion settlement to resolve most of the Roundup lawsuits in the United States. However, some plaintiffs have opted out of the settlement, and the settlement has not been approved by a judge yet.
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Conclusion
Roundup lawsuits have been a contentious issue for several years, with thousands of plaintiffs claiming that the popular weed killer caused their cancer. While some juries have awarded plaintiffs millions of dollars in damages, the science behind glyphosate’s safety is still debated. Bayer, the current Roundup maker, has reached a number of settlement agreements, including one with a $10.9 billion payout in 2020. However, the fate of many Roundup lawsuits is still uncertain, and how the legal battle will ultimately end remains to be seen.