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Who Qualifies for a Roundup Lawsuit?

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On this page, our lawyers will explain exactly who is eligible to file a Roundup cancer lawsuit. Will summarize the basic eligibility criteria that our firm is currently using to screen potential Roundup cases; and we will discuss the relevant injuries involved in the Roundup lawsuits.

About the Roundup Lawsuits

For decades, Roundup was the leading brand of herbicide (weed killer) on the market. Roundup was originally developed and manufactured by Monsanto, until 2017 when Monsanto was bought out by Bayer.

Beginning in the early 2000s, a growing body of scientific research began to emerge which found that the active chemical in Roundup (glyphosate) was a potential human carcinogen. A handful of large scall research studies in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and the International Journal of Environmental Research eventually found that chronic exposure to glyphosate in Roundup was specifically linked to higher rate of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

By 2015, the body of research connecting Roundup to non-Hodgkin lymphoma was enough to prompt the World Health Organization to categorize glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic.”

This classification was quickly followed by a wave of Roundup product liability lawsuits against Monsanto (and later Bayer). The Roundup lawsuits were filed by individual who regularly used Roundup for many years (either on the job or for home gardening purposes) and were subsequently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or skin cancer.

The Roundup lawsuits allege that Monsanto knew about the link between glyphosate and cancer for many years, but deliberately failed to include a warning on the Roundup product label to avoid a negative impact on sales. Within just a few years, over 100,000 Roundup cancer lawsuits had been filed.

More Specific Roundup Lawsuit Allegations

At core, Monsanto was obligated to ensure the safety of Roundup by responsibly designing, researching, testing, manufacturing, and marketing the product, aiming to prevent users from experiencing any severe or dangerous side effects.

Roundup lawsuits allege Monsanto failed at this. It failed to adequately assess and verify Roundup’s safety, despite knowing or having sufficient reason to know the risks associated with its use, including the potential for causing NHL.

The negligence allegations encompass various failures, including

  • inadequate testing of Roundup, insufficient research into its carcinogenic potential even after acknowledging such risks,
  • failing to evaluate the safety of its “inert” ingredients. Furthermore, the defendant did not properly warn users, the medical and agricultural sectors, or the EPA about Roundup’s dangers.
  •  inappropriately marketing Roundup as safe
  • failing to disclose vital information about its risks, thereby misleading the plaintiff, professionals, and regulatory bodies about the severity of its dangers compared to other herbicides.

Roundup Verdicts

In 2018 and 2019, a series of 3 Roundup cases went to trial and resulted in massive verdicts for the plaintiffs. The verdicts in these 3 initial Roundup trials totaled a staggering $3.7 billion in damages.

Following these verdicts, Bayer allocated $16 billion to cover Roundup settlements and initiated negotiations for substantial block settlements with individual plaintiff firms. As a result of these initiatives, approximately 80% of the 100,000 pending Roundup cases reached settlements.

Around the conclusion of 2021, Bayer shifted its approach and ceased efforts to settle the remaining cases, opting instead to take select cases to trial. By strategically choosing weaker cases for trial, Bayer secured a series of defense verdicts in state court cases nationwide, fostering a more optimistic outlook on settlements.

However, Bayer’s string of trial successes in Roundup cases concluded in mid-2023. Exhausting the pool of weaker cases for easy victories, Bayer began facing trials in stronger cases and experienced losses. Throughout the latter half of 2023, a new round of Roundup trials resulted in significant verdicts favoring the plaintiffs. The outcomes of these recent trials are anticipated to mirror the impact of the 2019 verdicts, compelling Bayer to place greater emphasis on settlements in future Roundup cases.

As of February 2024, there have now been of $7 billion in verdicts against Monsanto.

Who is Eligible to File a Roundup Lawsuit?

In order to be eligible to file a Roundup lawsuit and participate in any global settlement, potential claimants need to meet certain requirements. The basic eligibility requirements our firm uses to screen Roundup cases are as follows:

Regular Use of Roundup for 1-Year: All prospective Roundup plaintiffs must be able to show that they regularly used (or were exposed to) Roundup for a minimum period of at least 1-year. Keep in mind that 1 year is the minimum, and claimants with longer exposure times will have better claims.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Diagnosis: Potential Roundup plaintiffs must be able to show that at some point after their regular and prolonged use or exposure to Roundup, they were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Diagnosis Within Last 2 years: Finally, potential Roundup plaintiffs will need to show that they were diagnosed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis occurred within the last 2 years. Why? Because if the claimant was diagnosed too long ago the statute of limitations on their claim may have already expired.

Injuries Associated With Roundup

There is really only one primary injury involved in the Roundup litigation and that is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, which is a part of the body’s immune system. Unlike Hodgkin’s lymphoma, NHL comprises a diverse group of lymphomas, each with distinct characteristics and behaviors.

NHL can be classified into various subtypes based on the specific type of lymphocyte affected (B cells or T cells) and other characteristics. The common subtypes include diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and Burkitt lymphoma, among others. Each subtype may have distinct symptoms, prognosis, and treatment approaches. Each subtype is discussed below, with the exception of Burkitt lymphoma, which mostly occurs in children and is not strongly linked to glyphosate.

Diffuse Large B-Cell NHL

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a common and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer originating in the lymphatic system. DLBCL is characterized by the rapid growth of large B cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies.

DLBCL is the most prevalent subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, accounting for a significant portion of cases. It can occur in individuals of any age, but it is more commonly diagnosed in older adults.

DLBCL is characterized by its rapid and diffuse growth pattern of large B cells. The cancerous cells can accumulate in lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues, leading to the formation of tumors. DLBCL can also involve extranodal sites, such as the gastrointestinal tract, bone, and central nervous system.

The symptoms of DLBCL can include enlarged lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and sometimes pain. The disease can progress rapidly, necessitating prompt medical attention for accurate diagnosis and timely initiation of treatment.

The prognosis for DLBCL varies based on several factors, including the stage at diagnosis, the presence of certain genetic markers, and the response to treatment. While DLBCL is considered an aggressive lymphoma, many patients respond well to current treatment regimens, and a significant proportion achieve remission.

DLBCL is the subtype of NHL that has the strongest causal link with exposure to glyphosate.

Follicular Lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma characterized by the abnormal growth of B lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, in the lymphatic system. It is generally considered an indolent or slow-growing lymphoma, accounting for a significant proportion of all lymphoma cases.

Follicular lymphoma is a common subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, typically affecting adults and more commonly diagnosed in individuals over the age of 60. It is characterized by the presence of abnormal B cells forming small clumps, or follicles, in the lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues.

The presentation of follicular lymphoma often includes painless swelling of lymph nodes, usually in the neck, armpits, or groin. Other symptoms may include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, and occasionally, abdominal discomfort due to enlarged lymph nodes in the abdominal area.

Follicular lymphoma is generally considered incurable, but many individuals with this subtype lead long and relatively symptom-free lives. The prognosis varies based on factors such as the grade of the lymphoma, the stage at diagnosis, and the response to treatment. Advances in treatment options and ongoing research contribute to improving outcomes for individuals with follicular lymphoma.

Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a relatively rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) that arises from the outer edge, or mantle zone, of the lymph nodes. It is characterized by the abnormal growth of B lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, and is often diagnosed in older adults.

Mantle cell lymphoma represents a smaller proportion of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases, accounting for approximately 6% of all cases. Mantle cell lymphoma is known for its aggressive nature and tendency to involve multiple lymph nodes and extranodal sites.

Due to its aggressive nature, mantle cell lymphoma often requires prompt treatment. Treatment approaches may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and targeted therapies. The choice of treatment depends on factors such as the stage of the disease, the patient’s overall health, and specific characteristics of the lymphoma cells.

The prognosis for mantle cell lymphoma varies, and factors such as the stage at diagnosis, the patient’s age, and the response to treatment play a crucial role. Despite its aggressive nature, advancements in treatment options have improved outcomes for many individuals with mantle cell lymphoma.

Contact Us About a Roundup Lawsuit

If you think you might qualify for a Roundup lawsuit, contact our lawyers for a free consultation. Call us at 888-310-3020 or contact us online.