Former Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant was recently told he would need to testify in person for a Roundup cancer lawsuit trial scheduled for January.

Attorneys representing Grant have been arguing against him testifying in the upcoming St. Louis County trial. Grant did not appear in the other three trials which have occurred in California, but plaintiffs in the St. Louis lawsuits reportedly subpoenaed him due to his residence in the county.

Grant’s representation argued that he is not a scientific expert and any information he has was already provided in deposition testimony. Grant reportedly worked for Monsanto for 37 years and served as the company’s CEO from 2003 until the company was sold to Bayer in 2018.

On Dec. 5, a special master overseeing the Roundup cancer lawsuit determined that Grant couldn’t escape his subpoena. Special Master Thomas Prebil referenced statements from Grant when he allegedly defended the weed killer and said that glyphosate is not carcinogenic.

“Although Mr. Grant does not have scientific knowledge that doubtless will be a significant component to this lawsuit, he was CEO of Monsanto for 15 years and took part in presentations, discussions, interviews and other appearances for Monsanto as CEO in which the topics of Roundup and glyphosate were explained, discussed and defended,” Prebil determined.

Roundup Cancer Lawsuit Allegations

The upcoming trial will hear the allegations of plaintiff Sharlean G., an Illinois resident who allegedly developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after using Roundup for 25 years.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that forms in the lymphocytes – a type of white blood cell that functions in the immune system. Symptoms may include swollen lymph nodes (in the neck, armpits, or groin), abdominal pain, chest pain, fatigue, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, and more.

Monsanto and Bayer have faced several claims that their herbicides cause non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Sharlean’s Roundup cancer lawsuit alleges that she has suffered from serious injury as a result of her cancer. The lawsuit also claims that Sharlean’s stepfather died of cancer after using Roundup at the family home for most of her life.

Sharlean’s claims were brought against Monsanto in a larger Roundup cancer complaint filed in July 2017. The case includes allegations from over 75 plaintiffs, although Sharlean’s claims will be the first to go to court.

Other Roundup cancer lawsuits in the country have already gone to trial with favorable results. The first Roundup trial in California awarded $289 million in damages to plaintiff Dewayne J., a groundskeeper who allegedly came into contact with Roundup over the course of his employment and later developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Dewayne’s jury award was later lower by a trial judge to only $78 million. Monsanto later appealed the award, seeking to overturn it entirely. Dewayne’s lawyers reportedly responded by asking the appeals court to reinstate the full $289 million award.

These appeals will reportedly be scheduled as soon as possible, although this may not be until March or April “given the number and length of all the briefs to be considered, the outstanding motions that the court must rule on when considering the merits of the appeal,” according to a court order.

If you or a loved one developed cancer after using Roundup as a farm worker or home gardener, you may have a legal claim. Legal migrant farm workers may also seek help. Learn more by filling out the form on this page for a FREE case evaluation.

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