A couple has filed a product liability lawsuit against Monsanto Company alleging that a link between Roundup and lymphoma was responsible for the development of the husband’s cancer.

Plaintiffs Ronald P. and Marilyn P. filed their lawsuit in Arizona federal court claiming that Ralph was exposed to Roundup from approximately 1974 through 2017, and he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma around January 1991.

Roundup is used by homeowners and by those in the agricultural industry as a nonselective herbicide primarily for killing weeds. Its development coincided with the development of genetically modified crops, commonly referred to as GMOs. Nearly all corn, soy and cotton is genetically modified to withstand being sprayed with Roundup. Roundup can then be sprayed on the entire crop, and only the weeds will die, leaving the genetically modified crops to grow.

The primary chemical in Roundup is known as glyphosate. Monsanto has continually stated for decades that the product is not harmful to human health, as humans do not possess the chemical pathway that glyphosate uses to kill the weeds. Newer research, however, indicates that the flora in our digestive system, which is where the majority of our immune system is located, does have this shikimate pathway, and protective bacteria can be permanently destroyed in our guts, leading to serious degenerative diseases, according to Dr. Stephanie Seneff of MIT.

The Roundup lawsuit states, “During the entire time in which [Ronald] was exposed to Roundup, he did not know that exposure to Roundup was injurious to his health or the health of others.” It goes on to state that “[Ronald] first learned exposure to Roundup can cause NHL and other serious illnesses sometime after July 29, 2015 when IARC first published its evaluation of glyphosate.”

In July 2015 the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an agency of the World Health Organization, issued its evaluation of glyphosate and determined it is probably carcinogenic to humans. “The IARC Working Group concluded that the cancers most associated with glyphosate exposure are non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other hematopoietic cancers, including lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia, B-cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.”

“Monsanto was under a continuous duty to disclose to consumers, users and other person[s] coming into contact with its products, including Plaintiffs, accurate safety information concerning its products and the risks associated with the use of and/or exposure to Roundup and glyphosate,” the claim reads. “Instead, Monsanto knowingly, affirmatively, and actively concealed safety information concerning Roundup and glyphosate in the serious risks associated with the use of and/or exposure to its products.”

Ronald and his wife have raised a number of claims against Monsanto including strict liability for design defect, strict liability for failure to warn, negligence, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, violation of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and loss of consortium (spousal companionship) on behalf of Marilyn.

The plaintiffs are seeking judgment against Monsanto and are seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs and any additional relief deemed just and proper by the court.

It is anticipated that as word begins to spread about the link of Roundup and lymphoma that many more of these Roundup lawsuits will continue to be filed in the courts.

The Roundup and Lymphoma Lawsuit is Case No. 4:17-cv-00328, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

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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