On July 15, a federal district judge in San Francisco reduced the award Bayer and Monsanto Co. would have to pay a man who claimed that the popular weed killer, Roundup, caused his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The California jury’s original verdict of $80.3 million would have been awarded to the plaintiff by the German company. However, Judge Vince Chhabria reduced the award to $25.3 million due to the punitive damages being higher than constitutionally permissible.
More than 13,400 plaintiffs across the country have filed similar lawsuits against Bayer, and their recently-acquired subsidiary, Monsanto. Many of these lawsuits allege that an active ingredient in Roundup—glyphosate—causes cancer with extended use.
Seeking Restitution
In this case, the plaintiff said he used the popular herbicide starting in the 1980’s to remove poison oak and weeds around his property. He was then diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2014 and, as a result, his legal team alleges that Monsanto lied about the safety of Roundup for decades and allowed the public to be exposed to a harmful chemical.
The highest compensation award in litigation against Bayer was reached in May, where a judge in California awarded over $2 billion to a couple who developed cancer after Roundup exposure. In total, the cost to settle all of the lawsuits Bayer is facing due to their weed killer ranges from $2.5 billion to upwards of $20 billion.
Call an Attorney for Legal Assistance
As the adverse effects of glyphosate continue to be discovered, it is important that you seek legal counsel if you believe you have been affected by prolonged use or exposure to glyphosate or other carcinogens.
The attorneys at the Whitley Law Firm have experience in mass tort claims and could help you assess your case and fight for the legal compensation you may be owed. Call today to schedule a consultation.
