Nebraska Farmers Sue Monsanto, Claiming Roundup Caused them to Develop Cancer

Monsanto is a major chemical producer that primarily provides chemical inputs to farmers and other agricultural operations. One of its most common products that can even be found in some urban dwellers’ pantries is Roundup, a chemical used to kill certain weeds. The main ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate. This chemical is applied to genetically modified crops that are engineered to withstand Roundup, allowing the chemical to kill other weeds and unwanted plants.

According to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” In response to many of these claims and other criticism over glyphosate’s allegedly harmful attributes, Monsanto insists that Roundup is “safe enough to drink.” In 2015, Monsanto reported receiving $4.8 billion in sales from Roundup alone.

A recent lawsuit is challenging Monsanto’s claims regarding Roundup’s safety. According to four farmers from Nebraska, the chemical has caused them to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This disease is a form of cancer that originates in the lymphocytes that comprise a part of the body’s immune system. These lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissue like the spleen and bone marrow are a vital part of the body and can act as a conduit to spread cancer cells elsewhere.

In an interview, the plaintiffs’ lawyer stated that Roundup is used quite heavily in Nebraska and applied to a wide variety of crops like grains and even applied to grasses, trees, and tulips. Globally, Roundup is applied to over 100 different crop varieties. In 2001, over 85 million pounds of glyphosate were distributed in crop production in the U.S. By 2007, this figure had nearly doubled, according to the plaintiffs’ complaint.

In 2015, California became the first state in the nation to require Monsanto to label Roundup products as a carcinogen. The labeling requirement was based primarily on the research from the World Health Organization. Monsanto quickly reacted to the law by filing a lawsuit to challenge its enforcement.

There are a variety of theories the farmers can assert against Monsanto regarding the carcinogenic properties of glyphosate, including a negligence action and a product liability action. In the latter cause of action, the plaintiffs need to show that the product was unreasonably dangerous in its design. Each state has slightly different requirements regarding how a plaintiff must prove an unreasonable danger. Some jurisdictions require a plaintiff to show that the dangerous aspect of the product outweighed its utility, while others require a plaintiff to show that there was a reasonable alternative design that posed less of a danger and that was available to the defendant.

The knowledgeable and experienced Roundup lawyers at Moll Law Group are actively investigating claims against Monsanto on behalf of consumers who have developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. If you believe glyphosate may be to blame for your illness, we offer a free consultation to help you learn more about your potential claim and how the judicial system may be able to help you collect compensation. We serve victims throughout the U.S., including in Illinois, Texas, California, and Florida. Call us now at 312-462-1700 or contact us online to set up your appointment.

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