Exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup™, the most widely used herbicide in the United States, may cause cancer and other serious injuries. The World Health Organization (WHO) determined that glyphosate, the active chemical in the herbicide, is a Group 2A agent, citing it as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Exposure is linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and its subtypes including: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL or DLBL); follicular lymphoma; chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); mantle cell lymphoma (MCL); and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

Farm workers, landscapers, construction workers and employees of garden centers and nurseries are often at the highest risk of injury due to increased exposure to Roundup™. However, residential home use may also be harmful.

Exposure may happen from direct contact to the skin and/or inhaling it during use when mixing Roundup™ or applying it. Symptoms after exposure may include fever, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, stomach pain, chest pain and loss of appetite. If you are a farm worker, construction worker, nursery or garden center employee, landscaper, a homeowner who used the product, or believe you have been exposed, you may be at risk.

At this time, three trials in California have resulted in verdicts for plaintiffs who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma associated with extensive use of Roundup. Juries have awarded these plaintiffs with millions, and in one case billions, of dollars in punitive damages. While all of these awards have been reduced by the judges overseeing the cases, such as the $2 billion awarded to the Pilliods, the pressure continues to build on Monsanto and its parent company, Bayer AG.

Currently, the parties have agreed to a mediator, Ken Feinberg, for cases in multi-district litigation in Northern California, after the first bellwether trial ended in a verdict for Edward Hardeman. The spotlight recently shifted to St. Louis, where Monsanto was once headquartered, and where the first trial of 75 plaintiffs was set to begin August 19th. As of August 5, 2019, the parties there have agreed to mediation and the trial has been postponed until January 2020.

If you or someone you love was exposed to Roundup™ and have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or one of its subtypes, SGB is here to assist you. We are a local firm with 50 years of experience representing Washington State residents in product liability and serious injury claims. We have handled mass torts like this for decades and helped establish the strong product liability laws that are here to protect you. With SGB, you get the power of an established, local firm that is large enough to have all the resources necessary to succeed but small enough to give you the individualized care and attention you deserve. There is no charge for us to review your potential claim. If we handle your case, we will do so on a contingency basis, meaning that you only pay attorney fees if the claim is resolved in your favor.

If you are interested in pursuing a claim, please give our team a call and see the difference of SGB. We can be reached at (206) 622-8000 or intakes@sgb-law.com. We are right here in downtown Seattle, and ready to help.