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Roundup Lawsuits

Roundup is the name of an herbicide brand that contains glyphosate. It was originally sold by an American agricultural chemical company Monsanto, in 1974. Roundup has different products for different specifications. They produce a wide range of weed killers and other products under the name. Monsanto was bought by German drug and chemical company, Bayer, in 2018. Bayer owns other household products such as Aspirin, Claritin, Aleve, Alka-Seltzer, and more.

Roundup is used to kill weeds. It is sprayed directly onto the leaves, then the entire plant absorbs the poison and will kill all plants it comes in contact with. The active ingredient, glyphosate, is a common ingredient in many pesticides in the United States.

Does Roundup Cause Cancer?

Since the 1970s, studies have been proving that there was a link between Roundup’s active ingredient and cancer. The EPA began with suspicion in the 1980s. The researchers began to study the link between glyphosate and other pesticides after noticing an increase in farmers being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer released a report concluding that glyphosate causes cancer.

Glyphosate is linked to the following diseases, including different cancers:


  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
  • B-cell Lymphoma
  • T-cell Lymphoma
  • Hairy Cell Leukemia
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Autism
  • Bone cancer
  • Skin tumors
  • Kidney cancer
  • Liver cancer


Those at risk include farmers, landscapers, maintenance, and municipal workers that keep up with the grounds. Household users are not at high risk for cancer, due to their limited exposure.

The American Cancer Society has put together the following list of symptoms of NHL, which is the most common disease from Roundup.


  • Enlarged Lymph nodes
  • Abdominal pain
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Swollen stomach/abdomen
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Chronic fatigue

False Marketing

Monsanto was accused of false marketing by marketing the product as harmless and non-toxic. They also falsified scientific research in an effort to prove that it was safe for humans. Bayer has stated that the weed killer has been through “an extensive body of research” and thoroughly tested. The tests show that products containing glyphosate are not carcinogenic and “can be used safely.” The EPA’s guidelines for using Roundup now are to follow all the directions on the label, use eye protection, and avoid the area for 12 hours after application.

Pets and Animals

Glyphosate can cause short-term complications for animals and pets that eat or touch the plant that was recently affected by the chemical. There is not much research into long-term effects. The EPA says it is only slightly toxic to birds and practically non-toxic to bees and fish, such as insects, worms, or shellfish. Some versions of the chemical were designed to control aquatic plants. Some herbicides may contain other chemicals that can harm fish, but it is generally low in toxicity to fish.

TSome symptoms your pet has been exposed to glyphosate are:


  • Diarrhea
  • Drooling
  • Drowsiness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting


If any of these occur, it is recommended to take your pet to the vet.

Alternatives to Roundup

Here are some safer alternatives to using roundup:


  • Manual removal of weeds
  • Vinegar
  • Flame
  • Steam
  • Hot-foam weeding technique
  • Alternate commercial herbicide products

What Roundup Cancer Lawsuits Have Been Filed?

TIn 1996, the New York State attorney general filed a lawsuit against Monsanto for falsely advertising their products. Monsanto still claimed that their products were safe to be used by humans, environmentally friendly, and biodegradable.


Monsanto, who owned Roundup at the time of early lawsuits, has faced multiple lawsuits filed by farmers, home gardeners, and landscapers for their diagnosis with NHL. The lawsuit blames Roundup’s active ingredient for causing cancer and other diseases. Monsanto has opposed all of these claims.


As of October 2019, there were more than 42,000 plaintiffs who said glyphosate was the cause of their cancer. In 2018, a man with NHL was awarded $298 million from a lawsuit filed for using the harmful cancer-causing chemical. This is one of few cases where people won millions of dollars with proof that Roundup or glyphosate had a substantial cause in their cancer.


In June 2020, Bayer agreed to settle the claim of over one hundred Roundup lawsuits. They ended up paying around $9 billion in settlement, and another $1.5 billion for future claims.

How We Can Help You

If you or a loved one developed Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma or another serious disease and believe it is from Roundup usage, consider contacting us at Barfoot and Schoettker. We offer a free consultation to evaluate your case and offer services to assist you in the best way possible.

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