Roundup has been one of the most popular products for killing weeds in New Mexico and around the country for years. The company that makes it has recently been embroiled in a product liability lawsuit brought by people who believe it was a significant contributor to their cancer diagnoses. Currently, more than 18,000 people have signed on to numerous claims being brought against the manufacturer of Roundup, Monsanto. Monsanto is currently owned by Bayer.
A rumor recently reported in the media states that Bayer is considering paying as much as $8 billion to settle the claims. No information has been forthcoming from Bayer regarding the validity of the rumor. The issue with Roundup first came to light in 2015 in a report by the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) that connected the main ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, as a probable cancer-causing agent.
In the wake of this report, thousands of people came forward, claiming that their long-term use of the product contributed to a cancer diagnosis. There is still no firm resolution to the question of whether the weed killer causes cancer, but a couple of prominent cases decided for the litigant have contributed to the belief that it could be a cause. A California groundskeeper claimed his cancer was caused by years of exposure, and he sued the manufacturer. A jury trial resulted in a payout of $78 million. A similar case resulted in a payout of $87 million after being reduced from the jury award of $2 billion.
Great strides have been made in cancer treatment, but a cancer frequently cited by people involved in the numerous lawsuits is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While progress has been made in its treatment, it is still often fatal. A person in New Mexico who has received a cancer diagnosis after significant exposure to Roundup may wish to consult with an experienced attorney regarding the possibility of a viable product liability claim.