Moments ago, a federal jury in San Francisco, California ruled against Bayer Monsanto in a cancer lawsuit involving the popular Roundup weed killer product. A jury of five men and one woman concluded that Roundup was a substantial factor in causing the cancer of Ed Hardeman.
Hardeman sued Monsanto in February 2016. Hardeman claims that he began using Roundup in the 1980’s to control poison oak and weeds on his property. He also says he regularly used the product from 1986 through 2012. During that time he felt the mist from the product on his face and skin. Hardeman says he “followed all safety and precautionary warnings during the course of use.”
Hardeman later developed large B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and blamed Roundup for his cancer.
Approximately 11,000 cancer patients or the families of deceased cancer patients have filed lawsuits against Monsanto and its parent Bayer. Monsanto is the company that developed Roundup and other weedkillers that use a chemical called glyphosate to kill weeds.
Because there are so many lawsuits claiming that Roundup caused cancer, the federal courts consolidated the cases into what is called a multidistrict litigation. Hardeman’s trial is one of a handful of cases that will be tried over the next year. In a multidistrict litigation, the judge handling the cases selects a few representative cases to become “bellwether” trials. Depending on how those cases go, often most of the remaining cases can be handled expeditiously.
Now that the two cases have gone to trial have resulted in big wins for cancer patients, Bayer Monsanto may consider a global resolution. Earlier indications are that the company intends to appeal and fight, however.
Last summer, a state court jury in California awarded DeWayne “Lee” Johnson $289 million after finding Monsanto’s Rangerpro caused his cancer. Johnson was a school groundskeeper. Monsanto has appealed the verdict. Although the jury in Hardeman’s case ruled against the company, they have not yet determined his damages.
Hardeman’s trial is being done in two parts. Now that jurors have determined that his cancer was likely caused by exposure to Roundup, a second hearing will determine his damages.
Many expert witnesses testified for both sides in the trial. We were surprised, however, when one of Monsanto’s oncology doctors testified she didn’t have experience in working with herbicides. That expert, Dr Alexandra Levine, also admitted that the American Cancer Society recognizes that exposure to powerful chemicals can be a risk factor for non Hodgkin lymphoma.
During closing arguments, Hardeman claimed that his exposure to the herbicide had been extreme and that his experts had presented “overwhelming evidence” to show the risk of getting lymphoma increases the more a person uses Roundup.
Monsanto criticized the Hardeman’s experts as inadequate and unreliable. The company argued that Hardeman has the most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma and ultimately it is impossible to completely rule out chronic hepatitis C and hepatitis B as a contributing factor to his cancer.
Earlier today, the jury sided with Hardeman, and found his cancer was likely caused by his use of Roundup.
Cancer Victim with Prior Exposure to RoundUp?
If you believe you or a loved one were diagnosed with non Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma or leukemia and were a regular user of Roundup or other glyphosate herbicides, contact us immediately. We believe there is a direct link between cancer and these products.
Despite Monsanto’s claims to the contrary, many experts believe that glyphosate is carcinogenic. That means these products could kill you even if used as directed.
Monsanto is liable for injuries and damages attributable to bad or unsafe products. That includes being responsible for products with improper warning labels or instructions.
If we prove your case against Monsanto, you can collect damages. Damages include:
- Medical bills
- Future anticipated medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Medical Monitoring
- Lost wages including future lost wages
- And in some cases, punitive damages
To learn more contact us online, by email *protected email* or by phone at 414-704-6731 (direct). Our Roundup cancer lawyers will give you a no obligation, complimentary evaluation of your case.
Simply want to learn more before calling? Please visit our Monsanto cancer victim video and read our Roundup cancer lawsuit information page. You can find the video there. We also have a Roundup glyphosate resources page.
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