Manufacturers of Roundup face a lawsuit alleging that their product causes cancer.

Plaintiff Harry S. has accused Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup, of distributing a product with known carcinogenic properties that caused him to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Roundup is a broad-spectrum herbicide used in residential gardening and industrial farming to eliminate weeds and grasses. The active ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate, a non-discriminatory herbicide. This means it kills all plant life that produces a specific enzyme.

Harry alleges he began using Roundup in 1975 and sprayed it on a regular basis. He was subsequently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and blames his usage of Roundup.

In 1985, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), classified glyphosate as a possible human carcinogen. In 1991, the EPA changed glyphosate’s classification to non-carcinogenic to humans.

Despite the EPA removing glyphosate from the list of possible carcinogens, many studies have been published linking the chemical, and subsequently Roundup, to cellular damage which can lead to cancer.

In November 2001, a Canadian study found a link between non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Roundup in men exposed to glyphosate for under 10 years.

In 2008, a Swedish study found that the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma doubled after less than 10 years of exposure to glyphosate.

Due to a wave of evidence regarding the toxicity of Roundup, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed data regarding cancer and Roundup through a series of studies. In 2015, the IARC released a report classifying glyphosate and Roundup as probable carcinogens to humans. In their studies, the IARC found an especially strong link between non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Roundup.

Harry argues that Monsanto did not adequately investigate the safety of Roundup and has continued to provide insufficient evidence of the safety of Roundup since its initial release.

“[Monsanto] has claimed and continue to claim that Roundup is safe, non-carcinogenic, and non-genotoxic. These misrepresentations are consistent with [Monsanto’s] cavalier approach to investigating and ensuring the safety of its products, the safety of the public at large, and the safety of [Harry],” the lawsuit states.

In his lawsuit, Harry claims that Monsanto knew about the carcinogenic properties of Roundup and purposefully hid the information from consumers. “[Monsanto] failed to warn of the nature and scope of the side effects associated with Roundup, namely its carcinogenic properties and its propensity to cause or serve as a substantial contributing factor in the development of [non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma],” the lawsuit states.

Monsanto failed to properly disclose the link between non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Roundup, causing Harry to use Roundup as if it were safe which allegedly resulted in his development of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“Had [Monsanto] properly disclosed the risks associated with Roundup products, [Harry] would have avoided the risk of [non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma] by not using Roundup products,” the lawsuit argues.

Harry accuses Monsanto of negligence, strict products liability, and breach of warranty. He seeks a trial by jury, damages, medical costs, loss of earnings, attorney’s fees, and court costs.

This Roundup Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 4:18-cv-00287-HEA in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

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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