In June, Bayer announced that it will make a total payment of $10 billion to resolve legal cases regarding claims that the company’s product Roundup causes cancer. The settlement is one of the largest ever in U.S. civil litigation and includes $1.25 billion for impending future lawsuits.
Lawsuits claim that Roundup, the popular weed-killing product, causes a form of cancer known as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Bayer has agreed to settle tens of thousands of claims while continuing to sell Roundup without adding warning labels to the product. Monsanto, the creator of Roundup acquired by Bayer two years ago, fought similar lawsuits claiming that Roundup did not cause cancer and did not add warning labels to the product.
One of the most notable lawsuits was by Dewayne Johnson, who in 2018 was awarded $289 million from Monsanto after a jury decided that Roundup was the cause of his cancer. He had spent his career as a school groundskeeper in California.
Dangers of Roundup
The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, designates the key ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, a cancer risk.
Roundup can be dangerous when inhaled while mixing or spraying the product. It can also cause chemical burns on the skin. Those most at risk include gardeners, groundskeepers, landscapers, farmers or anyone responsible for the upkeep of crops or landscapes who have used the product for an extended period of time.
New studies have also shown that glyphosate was found in oat-based foods, including cereals, oatmeal, granola and snack bars.
Product Liability is Vital to Keeping Consumers Safe
Products on the market must be safe for consumers. Manufacturers can be held liable if their products cause harm, whether the potential risks were foreseen or not. If a product does have inherent risks, it is the manufacturer’s duty to explain those risks with safety warnings. Without these warnings, the manufacturer can be held liable for injuries caused by their product.
Product liability lawsuits are both important for the victim in recovering his or her financial losses and to the community, in that they hold manufacturers accountable for the safety of their products. It is critical to contact an attorney if you believe you are suffering from an illness caused by exposure to glyphosate. Legal counsel can help you understand the actions you may be able to take and if financial compensation is possible in your case.
At Panter, Panter, & Sampedro, we are prepared to handle product liability cases, including cases like those mentioned above. Please contact our team if you or someone you know has been affected by a dangerous product by calling our office at (305) 662-6178.
References:
Cohen, P. (2020, June 24). Roundup Maker to Pay $10 Billion to Settle Cancer Suits. Retrieved from https://nytimes.com/2020/06/24/business/roundup-settlement-lawsuits.html
Bayer (2020, June 24). Bayer announces agreements to resolve major legacy Monsanto litigation. Retrieved from https://media.bayer.com/baynews/baynews.nsf/id/Bayer-announces-agreements-to-resolve-major-legacy-Monsanto-litigation
Temkin, A. (2018, August 15) Breakfast With a Dose of Roundup? Retrieved from https://ewg.org/childrenshealth/glyphosateincereal
