What Is Roundup?
Roundup is a weed and grass killer originally manufactured by Monsanto until Bayer acquired the company. While consumers widely use this product to kill weeds on their property, long-term exposure to its chemicals may cause certain types of lymphoma, a cancer that affects the lymphatic system.
Types of Defective Product Lawsuits
There are three main types of product defects that could result in a defective product case: Design, manufacturing, and warning defects. Depending on the type of defect you’re alleging, you may need to present different evidence. Here’s what you’ll need to prove for each type of defect:
- Design Defects – These defects are inherent to the product’s design and make it dangerous for consumers to use, even when following the manufacturer’s directions. Although weed killers like Roundup contain harmful chemicals, lawsuits about Roundup typically don’t fall under defective design because the chemicals are necessary for the product’s intended use: killing weeds.
- Manufacturing Defects – These are defects that are introduced to the product during the manufacturing phase and aren’t present in the design. For example, if a manufacturing plant used lower-quality materials than required by the design and the resulting product failed and injured users, the defect would have been introduced during manufacturing.
- Warning Defects – These defects involve a product’s warning and instruction labels and the marketing a company uses to sell it. Most Roundup injury lawsuits rely on demonstrating that Bayer failed to adequately warn consumers of the risks posed by exposure to the chemicals present in their product.
An experienced Roundup lawsuit attorney from Ron Bell Law can assist you in proving that a product was defective in one of the ways listed above.
What Are the Risks of Roundup Exposure?
The primary risk of Roundup exposure is that it can increase the risk of several types of cancer related to the lymphatic system. The most common cancers associated with Roundup exposure include:
In particular, one study available through the National Library of Medicine found that exposure to glyphosate – one of the active chemicals in Roundup – increased the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma by 41 percent. Ultimately, this study found “a compelling link” between this exposure and the increased risk of cancer.
Those most at risk of developing cancers related to Roundup exposure are people who regularly used the product. This could be homeowners using it on their properties or landscapers who used it during their regular work duties.
However, many families may also be concerned about their children’s health. Children could be exposed to these harmful chemicals when playing outdoors in areas where Roundup is used.
If you believe you or a loved one developed cancer after being exposed to Roundup, fill out our questionnaire to learn whether you are eligible to file a lawsuit.
Necessary Evidence for a Successful Roundup Lawsuit
To successfully recover compensation through a Roundup lawsuit, you’ll need to provide a few key pieces of evidence that your attorney can gather for you. This evidence includes:
First, you’ll need to show that you were exposed to Roundup. A single exposure event likely won’t be enough. Instead, you should have evidence of repeated exposure over an extended period.
Second, you’ll need to demonstrate your cancer diagnosis. Your medical records should include this diagnosis, including when it occurred and any additional notes your doctor wrote down.
Third, you should have medical records detailing the treatment you underwent for your cancer. In most cases of lymphoma, this treatment will be chemotherapy. Your records should include how many chemotherapy sessions you underwent and when they were.
Finally, you must show evidence that you suffered a financial loss associated with your cancer diagnosis. In most cases, this means either medical bills or financial records documenting lost wages caused by your condition’s impact on your ability to work.
Compensation Available to Roundup Injury Victims
By joining our Roundup lawsuit, victims can seek various types of compensation. The most common compensation sought in these lawsuits includes money for:
- Medical Expenses – Compensation for past and future surgeries, medical treatments, medical devices, hospital stays, and prescription medications.
- Lost Wages – Compensation for income you lost during your recovery period and leading up to the lawsuit.
- Loss of Future Earning Potential – Compensation for income you are anticipated to lose in the future due to your cancer’s impact on your ability to work.
- Pain and Suffering – Compensation for the physical pain and suffering you experienced because of your cancer diagnosis.
- Emotional Distress – Compensation for the emotional toll the cancer diagnosis and treatment your diagnosis and treatment took on you. A cancer diagnosis is often a traumatic experience for individuals and their families.
- Loss of Consortium – Compensation your spouse can seek if your medical condition impacts your relationship.
Contact a Roundup Injury Lawyer
Were you diagnosed with lymphoma or a related type of cancer after repeated or long-term exposure to Roundup? If so, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries through a lawsuit against Bayer, Roundup’s manufacturer.
Complete our questionnaire to learn more about your eligibility for a lawsuit. Our Ron Bell Law is prepared to file your Roundup lawsuit for you if you’re eligible to pursue compensation for your Roundup exposure.