Many of you have no doubt used the herbicide known as Roundup. It has been commonly used by home gardeners, landscapers, and farmers for more than 40 years.
Now there are serious concerns about its usage.
Dwayne Johnson, a California school groundskeeper, was recently awarded a $289-million verdict against Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup. Johnson is dying of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
The jury said $250 million of the award was to punish Monsanto for failing to properly alert users to the effects of Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup products.
Bayer, which now owns Monsanto, is appealing. They claim the damage amounts aren’t justified and disputes that the evidence proved intent to harm. They also note that, despite product label warnings, many who use it do not put some type of protection in place.
In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer reclassified Glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen.” In court records, Johnson said he would not have used Roundup if he knew the safety risks.
Lawsuits Against Monsanto Dramatically Increase Following Verdict
In all, about 9000 lawsuits have been filed against Monsanto. Like Johnson, individuals who have used Roundup claim Glyphosate caused Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, B-Cell Leukemia, and Hairy Cell Leukemia.
Now, the verdict is causing nationwide concern, including a recent investigation by WTHR, a local news channel in Indianapolis.
They have learned that here in Indiana, utility companies like Indianapolis Power and Light no longer use Roundup products. Schools are also re-evaluating the use of the chemical. The Fishers, Indiana, school system, for one, no longer contracts for the use of Roundup products. Alternatives are now being considered and used.
If you have a concern that you or someone you know has been harmed by Roundup or any other product suspected to cause health issues, contact Theodoros & Rooth. We can help, with well over a century of experience helping people who have been injured by others. There is no charge for an initial consultation.