Monsanto is currently at the center of a lawsuit that alleges the company misled consumers and hid evidence. The suit claims their popular weed killer Roundup causes cancer.
A former groundskeeper from the Bay Area alleges the company was aware that one of the ingredients in Roundup, glyphosate, was a carcinogen.
The man, Dewayne Johnson, says that Roundup is directly responsible for his non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In the suit, he accuses Monsanto of covering up evidence that proved the connection.
The company is also accused of misleading consumers. There are 100 countries throughout the world that use Roundup. It is also approved for use on over 100 crops.
The lawsuit is currently before a San Francisco superior court. It is notable because the judge has allowed jurors to take evidence that the company suppressed the findings into consideration.
Widening the scope is significant. The ruling lets the jury issue punitive damages, even if they rule in Monsanto’s favor.
Monsanto says the evidence linking glyphosate to cancer is inconclusive and should not be taken as fact. The case could open the door for thousands of similar suits involving Roundup, no matter the result.
Roundup earns Monsanto over $4 billion a year, according to Fortune. The company is currently in the midst of a $66 billion deal in which Bayer is purchasing Monsanto.
Harmful products must be taken seriously, especially if they cause injury or life-threatening illness. If you or a loved one suspect a product was to blame for an injury, an experienced litigation attorney can help explain your options.
