The popular weedkiller Roundup has received lots of publicity after reports that it may cause Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and similar cancers. Bayer AG, the company that purchased Roundup creator Monsanto, appears to be preparing for potential resolution of the thousands of injury claims lodged against the company.
Bloomberg reports that Bayer has hired a well-known settlement counsel, which may indicate a willingness to resolve claims that Roundup caused the cancer of individuals who have filed lawsuits across the country.
This news comes after the latest verdict of over $2billion was rendered by a California jury in the case of a husband and wife who were both diagnosed with cancer after years of regular exposure to the chemical. A large part of the verdict was allocated to punitive damages, intended to punish Bayer (and Monsanto) for its conduct, including prohibiting publication of studies showing the Roundup-cancer link, and failing to warn users of the potential dangers of using the weedkiller without protective gear.
Two previous verdicts also favored the plaintiff cancer victims against the corporation. The federal judge overseeing the hundreds of lawsuits filed in California, U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco, recently reduced an $80 million verdict down to $25 million to comport with punitive damages standards. In his order Judge Chhabria stated that Monsanto “deserves to be punished”, but that the jury’s verdict was “constitutionally impermissible” because it was almost 15 times the amount awarded as compensatory damages.
Additional Roundup trials are slated to begin soon, with a Missouri state court trial scheduled for August 2019.
It is unsurprising, then, that the company would be exploring the possibility of settlement rather than facing more multi-million dollar verdicts.
Our attorneys have successfully taken on multinational corporations such as Volkswagen and Johnson & Johnson to obtain justice for our clients. The experience of the attorneys at Egerton Law makes our firm a natural choice for North Carolina plaintiffs to pursue their claims against Bayer for cancer caused by Roundup.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma or other cancers after regular exposure to Roundup, give us a call at 336-273-0508 or fill out a contact form. We will be happy to discuss your potential claim, at no cost to you.
Egerton Law represents clients throughout the state of North Carolina including: Guilford County, Forsyth County, Randolph County, Rockingham County, Montgomery County, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Asheboro, Kernersville, Burlington, Graham, Mebane, Thomasville, Denton, Eden, Reidsville, Salisbury, Walkertown, Belews Creek, Clemmons, Jamestown, Randleman, Madison, Siler City, Climax and Elon.