If you handle plants for a living or as a hobby, you may regularly deal with pests and weeds. Several companies offer products to eliminate typical plant problems. However, a few select chemicals are raising concerns about their effects on humans. Specifically, thousands of people have filed Roundup lawsuits alleging the chemical has caused severe health concerns, including cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The possible connection between users' well-being and Roundup products has been the basis for numerous personal injury claims in recent years. The lawsuits claim the main ingredient may have caused illnesses in consumers who used the spray repeatedly. If you used Roundup in the past and you've been diagnosed with a serious medical condition you believe is related to your chemical exposure, you may qualify to bring a Roundup lawsuit. Learn more about your legal options from our Roundup lawyers.
Round Up Lawsuit Guide
- Does Roundup Cause Cancer?
- Signs Roundup Has Affected Your Health
- Who Qualifies for a Roundup Lawsuit?
- Get Started on Your Lawsuit Quickly
- Who Handles a Claim if the Victim Dies?
- What is the Average Settlement for a Roundup Lawsuit?
- Damages in a Roundup Lawsuit
- Is It Too Late to Join the Roundup Lawsuit?
- Do I Need an Attorney for My Roundup Claim?
- How to Know if a Roundup Attorney Is Right for You
- Do You Have to Pay a Lawyer When You Hire Them?
Does Roundup Cause Cancer?
Roundup is a weed killer and aims to improve people’s lawns. Nonetheless, consumers have noticed a few issues after they have used the product on their grass. The concern is not over its effectiveness but its effect on a person’s well-being. Some have reported significant health complications.
The source of someone’s declining health condition is the active ingredient in the weed killer. The ingredient in question is a compound known as glyphosate. Many herbicides use the chemical to manage plant growth and help farmers prepare crops for harvest.
Companies claim adults and children should not suffer any side effects if a person follows the directions on the label. However, more and more people believe glyphosate has led to severe illnesses. Specifically, many of them have gotten a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, other lymphoma cancers, and leukemia.
Some studies have observed the link between glyphosate and cancers like non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Research suggests that the chemical increases the likelihood of the disease by 41 percent. Another study found compounds like glyphosate to have increased the risk of cancer among farmworkers. Several officials have not found a connection. Nonetheless, the herbicide’s potential cause of cancer has led to consumers taking legal action against the business behind Roundup. Contact a lawyer if you believe the weed killer caused a decline in your health.
Signs Roundup Has Affected Your Health
A person may follow the directions of Roundup carefully. Nevertheless, they still get into contact with glyphosate. The substance could get into the skin, or someone might inhale the fumes.
Even if the exposure period is brief, they can experience various symptoms. The individual may have to visit the doctor to treat the side effects.
Several warning signs Roundup has impacted your health are:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Skin irritation
- Sore throat
- Nausea
Visit a doctor if you notice any of the symptoms immediately. They may be able to help reduce the severity of the effects. Of course, other warning signs may occur if you develop an acute medical condition. Be sure to record what you experience and have the doctor screen you for any illnesses.If a test comes back positive, keep a copy of the results. Then, get a Roundup lawyer to start the legal process of a lawsuit.
Who Qualifies for a Roundup Lawsuit?
The civil court system has seen multiple lawsuits against the manufacturer of Roundup. Consumers believe the company failed to warn them of the dangers of using the product regularly. Many lawsuits have been settled, but other victims wait to hear about the outcome of their cases.
You could take legal action against the company if you developed a severe illness after using Roundup. People qualify for a lawsuit if they have a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or another type of cancer. Plaintiffs generally include victims who have the disease and are undergoing treatment.
What Types of Cancer Qualify for Compensation?
You may qualify for compensation if you previously had treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or another cancer. Additionally, some plaintiffs are loved ones of the victim. The person may have passed away due to their condition. Therefore, a family member may begin a claim and get reimbursement for related damages.
Victims who have gotten sick because of the product’s active ingredient mainly include people who work around plants daily. Landscapers, farmers, and other agricultural workers have had a high risk of injuries. Nevertheless, anyone can qualify for a settlement if they use Roundup continuously.
Since the manufacturer has denied allegations in the past, victims may face legal challenges. Therefore, you should hire a lawyer to protect your rights to compensation. An attorney gathers the necessary medical documents to link your condition to a potentially defective weed killer.
Get Started on Your Lawsuit Quickly
The law imposes a strict time limit for people to sue for damages. All states have a statute of limitations for Roundup cases, so the amount of time you have depends on where you live. Most states generally allow someone a few years to start their claim.
The deadline usually ends a specific number of years from the date you received your diagnosis. However, a case involving a deceased victim has a different statute of limitations. The last day to file a lawsuit depends on when the person passed away.
Specific factors may impact how long someone has to pursue legal action. Courts typically look at when the diagnosis occurred. However, a person may be able to pause the statute of limitations if they do not discover the link between their cancer and Roundup until later.
Roundup lawsuits are complex in general. Talk to a Roundup lawyer to know how long you have to get compensation.
Who Handles a Claim if the Victim Dies?
Most states require a personal representative to represent the deceased in court. The individual initiates and handles a lawsuit if the victim dies due to exposure to glyphosate in Roundup. The court authorizes the personal representative of the decedent’s estate.
The designated person usually is a relative or close friend. Nevertheless, entities like a bank can assume the duties of an executor. Someone’s will determines who may fulfill the role. However, the court has the final say if the deceased does not have an official will.
The personal representative must act in the best interests of the estate. They should judge whether the settlement is adequate. Moreover, they must fairly distribute the money among the beneficiaries eligible to receive compensation.
A personal representative has many duties beyond Roundup lawsuits. You may not have enough time to devote yourself to the case. However, a lawyer deals with the legal aspects of the claim. You can focus on other tasks.
What is the Average Settlement for a Roundup Lawsuit?
Settlement amounts in Roundup cases can vary greatly, as they depend on the specifics of each case, including the severity of the plaintiff's illness, medical expenses incurred, lost wages, and other damages. In 2020, Bayer, which owns Monsanto, the maker of Roundup, announced a settlement of more than $10 billion to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits, averaging around $160,000 per case. However, the actual amounts individuals receive can be much higher or lower than the average, depending on their damages.
Damages in a Roundup Lawsuit
Healthcare Costs
Injured parties have been able to claim multiple damages in their settlements. Prevalent losses in Roundup lawsuits deal with the various medical expenses. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other cancers have different options for life-saving treatments.
However, all of them are expensive. For example, chemotherapy may cost someone anywhere between 10 percent and 50 percent in out-of-pocket expenses. Alternatively, the price ranges from $10,000 to $200,000 without insurance. The bill depends on the cancer stage and the number of treatments a person needs.
Additionally, you may have to pay the costs of hospitalization and medication. Of course, a treatment plan could last for some time. Therefore, future healthcare bills count toward the Roundup settlement.
Lost Income
Treatment for cancers like non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can be extensive. As a result, a person has to take plenty of time off work. Due to staying home or at the hospital, they see less money appear in their paychecks. The decrease in income and more bills is a concern to many victims.
The court awards damages to injured parties for lost wages. Your lawyer reviews your pay stubs or tax records to determine how much the opposing party owes you. Furthermore, compensation includes diminished earning capacity if the illness affects your ability to work.
Pain and Suffering
During the investigation, your lawyer tells you if you can get reimbursement for pain and suffering. Cancers and the resulting treatments create physical and emotional discomfort. You could experience a decline in your mental health as well.
The other side compensates you for the pain and suffering you experienced due to the weed killer. The amount the company owes you depends on how your lawyer calculates the value of the non-economic damages.
Is It Too Late to Join the Roundup Lawsuit?
No, not necessarily. The eligibility to join a Roundup lawsuit is case-specific and can be influenced by factors such as when you were exposed to Roundup, when you were diagnosed with a related illness, and the statute of limitations in your state. If you were exposed to Roundup and meet the criteria mentioned above, you may still have time to file a claim. Reach out to a legal professional at the Levin Firm for the most up-to-date information about the Roundup lawsuit developments and how you might be able to obtain financial compensation with the help of a qualified lawyer.
Do I Need an Attorney for My Roundup Claim?
Yes. Taking legal action against a large entity with its own powerful defense team requires the skill of a powerful lawyer. A qualified attorney has the applicable knowledge and experience to navigate the complexities of Roundup lawsuits, help you build your claim, advocate for your rights, and obtain maximum compensation.
Lawsuits against the manufacturer of Roundup operate under the concept of product liability. Under product liability, companies have strict liability for unsafe products. However, the plaintiff must prove the item was defective and caused their injuries.
The defendant may deny Roundup led to your cancer diagnosis and hire a team of lawyers to disprove your argument. The company has plenty of resources available to fight claims like yours. Therefore, you need to find an attorney with experience with unsafe products like Roundup.
A complicated case like a Roundup lawsuit requires sufficient proof that the other side knew of the risks and did not warn consumers. You would need to know what evidence can support your case and is viable in court. A lawyer knows how to obtain the proof necessary to win a settlement.
Another reason to hire a Roundup attorney is that they are familiar with the state’s product liability laws. They know the legal jargon and can explain confusing aspects of your case to help you understand everything better. You would not have to spend time researching information by yourself.
In addition, the other side is a multi-million dollar company. The legal defense team may feel intimidating, especially when you need to speak to them during negotiations. A lawyer removes the pressure by talking to the other attorneys on your behalf.
How to Know if a Roundup Attorney Is Right for You
Since Roundup lawsuits usually are complex, you should find a qualified firm. Not every attorney will be a good fit for your case. Therefore, you need to know what qualities to find in a Roundup lawyer.
Aspects of an appropriate attorney to keep in mind are:
- Experience in the area. You will want a lawyer who has handled several product liability cases before. A history of lawsuits like yours means the attorney understands the laws and how to build strong arguments.
- Successful settlements. In addition to handling product liability cases, a lawyer should have a history of wins. You can have confidence your attorney knows what strategies may work. Some firms list successful case results on their web pages.
- Willing to stand up to the defense. The other side is a large company, so you need someone who is not afraid to meet the defendant head-on. Your lawyer should fight aggressively to protect your rights to reimbursement.
- Responsiveness. You should not need to wait days for a reply if you have a concern. The right Roundup attorney responds to your questions promptly. If they cannot contact you immediately, they have a paralegal reach out to you instead.
- Accurate settlement estimations. One question you can ask an attorney is if they can estimate the value of your case. Once a lawyer has an idea of what damages you may claim, they should be able to assess how much to expect in compensation.
You do not have to settle for the first lawyer you meet. Create a list of potential attorneys and schedule a consultation with each one. You can ask questions during the meeting to know if the lawyer is the right fit for your lawsuit.
Do You Have to Pay a Lawyer When You Hire Them?
A few victims of Roundup may delay hiring a lawyer due to the costs. Many people know litigation can be expensive and are aware of the high hourly rates for lawyers. The consequences of the weed killer may have left them with less money than before. Therefore, they are unsure if they can pay an attorney throughout the lawsuit process.
Since Roundup cases fall under product liability, you do not have to worry about upfront costs. Most lawyers who practice in the field use a contingency fee to get payments. Contingency fees do not apply until after the lawsuit resolves. Usually, you would not pay your attorney unless they secure a settlement.
The fee is a portion of your compensation. When your lawyer receives the settlement check, they deduct some money as payment before mailing you the rest. The amount they take depends on the percentage they charge.
Many firms remove about 33 percent, but some could take a larger portion of the settlement. Furthermore, the contingency fee amount might change if a lawyer uses a sliding scale. Your attorney may increase the percentage if the lawsuit proceeds further in the legal timeline before settling.
Discussions about a firm’s contingency fee occur during the initial consultation. You would agree to the terms before you hire a lawyer.
Don't delay — contact a Roundup lawsuit attorney at the Levin Firm for more information about your options to recover financial compensation.
Gabriel Levin - Owner/Founder
Gabriel Levin is a highly experienced and award-winning attorney with over 10 years of practice in Pennsylvania. Known for his tenacity, he has represented clients in a wide range of civil matters and tried hundreds of cases. He prepares each case as if it will go to trial, ensuring meticulous attention to detail.
Unlike many firms that delegate tasks, Attorney Levin personally handles every aspect of each case and maintains open communication with his clients throughout. He has secured millions in compensation, making him a smart choice for those seeking legal representation.
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