As of the end of March, the Bayer company has settled over 100,000 Roundup lawsuits, paying billions to victims who say the popular herbicide caused their cancer. In addition to the lawsuits that have been settled, there are still over 25,000 lawsuits against the company on the books. Because these cases have been in the news for so long, one of the most common questions we get from Roundup victims at Buttafuoco & Associates is whether it’s too late to file a lawsuit. As recent developments in the month of March show, it definitely isn’t too late, but working with a knowledgeable New York Roundup cancer attorney is imperative in order to recover the maximum compensation possible. I’ll tell you more below, and give you information on how we handle these cases.
Background on Roundup Lawsuits
When Roundup first arrived on shelves, farmers and homeowners alike rejoiced at the product’s incredible ability to keep their lawns and crops free of weeds. But when studies began to indicate that glyphosate, Roundup’s active ingredient, could cause non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the result was a string of lawsuits that has continued to gain steam for years.
At the time initial lawsuits were filed, Roundup was a Monsanto product, and Monsanto ignored all evidence of glyphosate’s dangers. They continued to sell the product and failed to warn consumers about its dangers. (In fact, it was not until recently that the company agreed to pull the glyphosate formulation of Roundup from shelves starting in 2023.) When Bayer purchased Monsanto in 2018, they also inherited the lawsuits. At the first two trials alone, Bayer saw $289 million and $80 million verdicts. A later $86 million verdict was upheld after being challenged in court. At this point, as huge losses accumulated, Bayer changed their strategy and set aside $16 million so they could use it to negotiate settlements. In 2020, the company paid a $10 billion settlement to cover thousands of lawsuits.
While this may sound like a lot of money, it is a drop in the bucket compared to what Bayer could have lost had they continued fighting at trial. In a nutshell, they are trying to avoid paying what victims deserve for their pain, suffering, medical bills, and other issues that are a direct result of using this dangerous product.
If you have received a cancer diagnosis, a Roundup cancer lawyer in New York may be able to help. They can assist you in understanding your rights, tell you whether you have a case, and explain what kinds of compensation you may be eligible to receive. Buttafuoco & Associates is handling cases currently, and offers free consultations at 1-800-NOW-HURT.
Recent Roundup Legal Updates
At the beginning of March, Bayer AG requested that the U.S. Supreme Court review a case claiming their product causes cancer. The specific award in question was $87 million paid to Alberta and Alva Pilliod, who developed cancer after using Roundup for over 30 years. Bayer claims they should not be held responsible because federal regulators have deemed the product safe.
Earlier this year, Bayer appealed another case, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a $25 million award to Edwin Hardeman, another Roundup user who developed cancer. In this case, Bayer similarly argued that there is not solid scientific evidence supporting the cancer claims, and awaiting a decision on the appeal.
These examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Bayer’s egregious behavior in covering up the dangers of this deadly product and choosing to expose innocent consumers to lethal chemicals. At Buttafuoco & Associates, our Roundup cancer lawyers serving New York make it our mission to fight for everyday citizens against corporate abuses of power. If you are facing a devastating disease because of Roundup, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our legal team today.
Do I Have a Case?
Currently, there are over 25,000 Roundup lawsuits that haven’t been settled, not to mention the additional Roundup lawsuit filings that are ongoing. At Buttafuoco & Associates, our team is currently working on mass litigation settlements for Roundup lawsuits. It is important to note that mass torts are different from class action lawsuits. In a mass tort case, many lawsuits are heard at once and are thus resolved more quickly. They also offer higher settlement amounts, which are based on the degree to which the plaintiff was harmed by the product. The highest compensation tiers have recovered $100,000 or more. You can learn more here about how much a Roundup lawsuit is worth.
If you would like to know more about whether you qualify to participate in a Roundup lawsuit, get in touch with our New York Roundup cancer attorneys at 1-800-NOW-HURT.