Monsanto Ordered to Pay $289 Million in RoundUp Cancer Case

The active ingredient in many weed killing herbicides has been linked to developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Multiple scientific studies have found that glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup—the most popular weed killer in the world) causes cancer in humans.  In 2015, the World Heath Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found that long-term exposure to glyphosate—like that from working in agriculture—is likely to cause cancer.

If you believe you’ve been exposed to glyphosate and have experienced personal injuries, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.

Consumers are Largely Unaware of the Dangers

This information is bad for companies like Monsanto (makers of Roundup and part of the pharmaceutical company Bayer), so many consumers are still unaware of the dangers of glyphosate-based herbicides.  In fact, according to  trial testimony, a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official was pressured to influence the results of and even attempted to squelch a federal study on the link between glyphosate and cancer.

Despite attempts to hide the facts, many glyphosate cancer victims are educating themselves and taking a stand against businesses like Monsanto who have been accused of attempting to influence scientific studies and intentionally withholding consumer safety information.

One Example: The Case of Dewanye Johnson

One such consumer is Dewanye Johnson, who filed suit against Monsanto in 2016.  As a groundskeeper, Johnson had used Roundup and Ranger Pro for years with no apparent ill effects until he broke out in skin lesions after accidentally spilling Ranger Pro on his body.  When Johnson was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he reached out to Monsanto to determine if the products he had been using were, in fact, cancer-causing.  The company never replied to his repeated attempts to communicate with them.

Ultimately, a California jury found Monsanto liable because they failed to properly warn Johnson about the link between long-term exposure to glyphosate-based weed killers and the risk of developing Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  The jury unanimously awarded Johnson $39.25 million in compensatory damages and $325 million in punitive damages for a total award of $289 million.

Take a Stand

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer and has experiences long-term exposure to a glyphosate-based weed killer, such as Roundup or Ranger Pro, our team at Meinhart, Smith & Manning, PLLC would like to help you take a stand.  Please contact our office today, call (502)589-2700.