Monsanto Company is facing a new Roundup lawsuit filed by a grieving widow alleging her husband’s death was caused by the weedkiller’s main ingredient glyphosate.

The Roundup lawsuit alleges that long term glyphosate exposure contributed to the man’s cancer, and ultimately caused a shorter life expectancy.

Plaintiff Karen E. filed this Roundup lawsuit on behalf of her late husband Cecil E., alleging that Monsanto may have known about their weedkiller’s carcinogenic effects for years.

Karen says that Cecil had used Roundup to treat his yard and had no reason to suspect that he was in danger of developing any serious health complications.

This regular use allegedly contributed to the development of non Hodgkin’s lymphoma in Cecil, which was diagnosed in 2015. According to Karen, Cecil died not long after on Oct. 7, 2015. Karen opted to file this Roundup lawsuit after discovering other consumers developed similar health problems and that Roundup may not have been reasonably safe for consumers to use.

Overview of Roundup Cancer Correlation

The substance allegedly causing Roundup to be associated with cancer is its main ingredient glyphosate, a selective herbicide that specifically targets plants that produce the EPSP synthase enzyme. Glyphosate interferes with the plant’s genetic pathways, eventually causing plant death and allowing desired plant life to flourish.

Glyphosate is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the world, with 250 million pounds used on crops, commercial nurseries, suburban laws, parks, and golf courses. Even though its a widely used weedkiller, glyphosate has reportedly been linked to cancer and particularly to non Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) issued a report detailing this alleged correlation in March 2015. The report concluded that glyphosate and four other pesticides were carcinogenic.

This report came after three studies from three different countries showed that glyphosate may have caused a higher incidence rate of non Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the subjects, specifically:

• In a Canadian study published in November 2001 by the American Association for Cancer Research, scientists found that men were developing non Hodgkin’s lymphoma after being exposed to glyphosate for under 10 years.
• In a US study published in the Occupational and Environmental Medicine journal, scientists concluded that glyphosate and certain other pesticides were “potentially carcinogenic” and was “associated with increased NHL [non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma] incidence.”
• In a Swedish study published in October 2008 in the International Journal of Cancer, scientists found that subjects who were exposed to glyphosate were twice as likely to develop non Hodgkin’s lymphoma in less than 10 years after exposure.

Researchers had begun to investigate the alleged correlation after numerous farmers had reportedly been diagnosed with non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported a potential association in the 1980s. Since Roundup had been on the market for many years at that point, consumers had been unknowingly exposed to glyphosate for decades.

Plaintiffs claim that even though this vital safety information was known to Monsanto Company, the agricultural giant allegedly failed to disclose this information to the public. At all times relevant, Karen alleges that she and Cecil relied on the product information provided by Monsanto and were not told to take any precautions against potential exposure to Roundup.

Karen states that Cecil never would have used Roundup if he had known the potential carcinogenic nature of glyphosate.

The Roundup Lawsuit is Case No. 4:18-cv-00513-CVE-FHM, in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Oklahoma.

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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