The widely used herbicide Roundup, which contains the active chemical glyphosate, has been designated as a probable human carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Farmers, farmworkers, landscapers, gardeners – and even homeowners – who use Roundup or other glyphosate products are at risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and other related forms of cancer.
Thousands of people in Alabama and across the country who have been diagnosed with cancer due to Roundup or glyphosate herbicide exposure have filed Roundup lawsuits against the manufacturer, multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation Monsanto, and its even larger parent company, Bayer AG.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with cancer after being exposed to Roundup products and would like more information about whether you might have a potential Roundup lawsuit, please contact the Alabama Roundup lawyers at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., today for experienced and compassionate legal assistance. The claim review and consultation are free.
Roundup and Cancer Claims in Huntsville
Monsanto first introduced Roundup in 1974. Over the past three decades, the product has become one of the most popular and widely used herbicides in Alabama and throughout the world. However, many studies have questioned whether it is safe for humans.
In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), released a report that concluded that glyphosate – the active chemical in Roundup – is a Group 2A cancer-causing chemical. That means it is “probably” carcinogenic to humans. The IARC explicitly linked exposure to glyphosate, and specifically Roundup, to non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
IARC’s assessment came after a thorough and exhaustive analysis of government data and dozens of peer-reviewed scientific studies. Since this assessment was released, thousands of lawsuits have been filed by people who claim their non-Hodgkin lymphoma was caused by exposure to Roundup.
Exposure to Roundup has also been linked to other health problems, including:
- ADHD
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Anencephaly
- Autism
- Birth Defects
- Brain Cancer/Brain Injury
- Breast Cancer
- Celiac Disease
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Colitis
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Liver disease
- Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS)
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Reproductive and pregnancy issues
- Respiratory Illness
Is Roundup Responsible for Your Illness?
One high-profile case involved a man, DeWayne Johnson, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after working as a groundskeeper. Over the course of four years, he sprayed a high-concentration version of the product around school property about 20 and 30 times a year. He testified during his trial that twice he got drenched with the product.
He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma two years after starting the job, and later developed a more aggressive form of cancer. A jury determined that his cancer was caused by exposure to Roundup and ordered Monsanto to pay damages to Johnson. His final award was $78 million.
Johnson sprayed Roundup from 50-gallon drums, as do many farmers. The average consumer may take a bottle of Roundup out to the yard a couple of times a month to kill annoying weeds, exposing themselves to much lower amounts of the toxic herbicide. There is less risk of significant harm to people who don’t use the product often, but precisely how much less is still unclear. The consensus among non-industry scientists (those who don’t work for the big chemical companies) is that no level of Roundup is risk-free.
Glyphosate itself is dangerous, but the mixture found in Roundup is potentially more harmful to humans. One 2008 study determined that someone who uses Roundup for 10 or more days per year has twice the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma than someone who doesn’t use Roundup. Another study reported that the risk doubles after using Roundup more than 10 hours over more than two days in a year.
What this means is that people who only use Roundup around their home can potentially be at risk. Further, people with compromised immune systems, such as children, the elderly, and those chronic illnesses, such as liver disease, may be more susceptible.
Symptoms from Roundup exposure include:
- Eye or skin irritation
- Irritation in the nose and throat
- Increased saliva
- Burns in the mouth and throat
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
But it’s not just the inhalation of Roundup spray that could cause harm. Roundup is the most popular herbicide in the world, and it is used on many farms. For many people, exposure to Roundup comes from eating produce treated with the herbicide. Exposure can also occur through drinking water, which may contain runoff from Roundup-treated fields.
Have you ever used Roundup? Are you wondering if Roundup is toxic? Scientists who have studied the effects of Roundup generally agree that there is no amount of exposure that can be deemed safe.
How does Roundup cause cancer?
Scientists have classified Roundup as a clastogen, which is an agent that can induce genetic mutation by disrupting or damaging chromosomes. Cells become cancer cells mainly because of mutations in their genes, which means that those exposed to the product are at higher risk of developing these specific forms of cancer than those who are not.
How to Pursue a Claim Against Roundup in Huntsville, AL
To date, over 18,000 Roundup cases have been filed, including three high-profile cases in which the plaintiffs, including Johnson, each received awards of $25 million or more. Our firm represents individuals who were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after using Roundup.
While many Alabama victims used Roundup around their home or business, we also represent gardeners, landscapers, farmers, farmworkers, and government workers who were exposed to Roundup.
Some of the most common damages pursued by claimants include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages or income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Personal injury
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death (if a loved one passed away from cancer caused by Roundup)
If you have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after using Roundup, either in your job or around your home or garden, you should consider speaking with a Roundup cancer attorney. To learn about time limits for your Roundup claim in Huntsville, please contact our attorneys.
You could be facing a serious diagnosis and significant financial cost associated with treatment if you developed a disease caused by Roundup. Had Monsanto properly warned you and other consumers about Roundup and the dangers of using it, you might not be in this situation.
At Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., we believe that Monsanto is responsible for any harm suffered by consumers because of their failure to warn of the link between Roundup and cancer. When companies put the pursuit of profits over the safety of those who buy their products, they should be held accountable.
Our team of Huntsville attorneys is here to help you seek justice. We won’t be intimidated by these large corporations, their legal teams, or their insurers.
Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., Can Help You With Your Roundup Cancer Case!
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or related cancer, our Alabama Roundup lawyers can advise you on how to seek compensation for your injuries and hold Monsanto responsible. Lawyers for Huntsville Roundup cancer claims at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., are experienced and knowledgeable in the field of product liability litigation. We are ready to put our extensive legal experience to work for you.
Our Huntsville Roundup lawyers regularly serve clients throughout Northern Alabama, but we also serve clients regionally and throughout the United States. We have offices in Huntsville and Florence, Alabama. To speak with an Alabama attorney about your Roundup cancer lawsuit claim, contact Morris, King & Hodge, PC., for a free consultation now. We are available all day, every day to discuss your claim.