Approximately 8,000 plaintiffs have filed glyphosate and cancer lawsuits against former agribusiness giant Monsanto (now a division of Bayer AG).  One of the most recent complaints was filed on Nov. 1, 2018 by a Wyoming woman who alleges that glyphosate caused her to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which physicians diagnosed in 2014. 

According to the Roundup lawsuit, plaintiff Catherine P. used the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup on her lawn and garden for 23 years, starting in 1995.

In her complaint, she alleges that Monsanto manufactured a defective product that the company knew, or should have known, was “unreasonably dangerous to consumers.” Because Monsanto allegedly misrepresented the product as “safe,” Catherine says she could not have reasonably known of the risks. She furthermore states that said defects caused her illness, and accuses the defendant of failure to warn consumers of the inherent risks of glyphosate.

Catherine has demanded a jury trial, in which she seeks $75,000 in compensatory and punitive damages, plus interest and legal costs.

About Monsanto and Glyphosate

Glyphosate was first developed by a Swiss chemist in 1950; the chemical was patented several years later by a U.S. company as a cleaning agent for removing mineral deposits from steam pipes and boilers.

In 1970, glyphosate was rediscovered by Monsanto chemist John Franz as the company was attempting to find a new and stronger herbicide. Glyphosate became the active ingredient in Roundup, which was introduced in 1974.

Since that time, glyphosate has become the most widely-used herbicide in the world, used in commercial agriculture as well as by groundskeepers, gardeners and individual homeowners. Between 1992 and 2016, the amount of glyphosate used on commercial crops in the U.S. increased from approximately 10 million to nearly 280 million pounds per year.

Glyphosate and Cancer

An association between glyphosate and cancer was suspected as early as 1985. After review by a toxicology panel, the EPA classified glyphosate as Class C, a “possible carcinogen.” However, six years later, that classification was inexplicably changed to Class E, suggesting that glyphosate was non-carcinogenic. That change came at the same time that Monsanto was working on its genetically modified “Roundup Ready” crops, designed to be resistant to glyphosate. 

Plaintiffs like Catherine now say there is strong evidence indicating that Monsanto has indeed colluded with insiders at the EPA to conceal information about glyphosate and cancer links. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has declared glyphosate to be a “probable human carcinogen.”  This assessment was based on a number of independent scientific studies in Canada, Sweden and the U.S. The State of California has added glyphosate  to its list of substances “known to cause cancer.”

Glyphosate has also been banned or restricted in a number of countries. Recently, Health Canada has begun investigating Monsanto over allegations that research used in its application for approval in that country was created by the company’s own scientists.

Have You Been Affected by Glyphosate?

In addition to non-Hodgkins lymphoma and other forms of cancer, glyphosate has been linked to health problems that include skin irritation, serious kidney and liver injury, heart problems and DNA damage.

Recently, a California jury awarded $289 million to a former groundskeeper with terminal lymphoma. Although the judge presiding over the case reduced that amount significantly, she denied Monsanto’s request for a new trial.

Those who have used or been exposed to Roundup and suffer from cancer or other health issues may be eligible to join the litigation against Monsanto.

Catherine’s Glyphosate and Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 4:18-cv-1870, US District Court Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern Division.

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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