Part III – Have You Been Impacted?
As you read in our previous posts, Dewayne Johnson is a former California school groundskeeper who contracted cancer from applying the herbicide Roundup as part of his job. His case is the first which cracked wall guarding Monsanto, the maker of the Roundup, from damage judgments because the product was determined to be carcinogenic. As a result of the judgment, Mr. Johnson, who has a terminal case of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, was awarded $289 million in damages from Monsanto.
Mr. Johnson's case is the first but very possibly not the last lawsuit that Monsanto could lose. Nationwide, 5,000 lawsuits are pending from farmers, landscapers, and consumers. These actions, which have been filed mainly in state courts, alleging that Roundup caused them to contact the same disease afflicting Mr. Johnson or other forms of cancer.
Who Uses Roundup?
Mr. Johnson had accidentally spilled Roundup on himself twice. Though this could be considered an extreme case, Roundup is a very popular product for both commercial, institutional and consumer weed eradication. People who have been exposed to the weed killer for as little as eight hours face potential cancer risk.
You don’t even have to have been using Roundup to be at risk of cancer. The chemical has been sprayed on large areas such as public parks, and research in these areas show evidence of chromosomal DNA changes consistent with cancer growth.
What If You Are Affected?
“I figured if it could kill weeds, it could kill me," said Mr. Johnson during the trial. By the time his case went to trial, 80% of his body was covered with lesions, rendering him on some days unable to speak.
One of the first things you need to do if you have handled Roundup or suspect it has been applied in the vicinity of your home or workplace is keep an eye out for the early stages of possible cancers. As you have heard many times, early detection is key to possible survivability.
For the onset of cancers associated with Roundup usages such as lymphoma and leukemia – fever; swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarm or groin; skin rash or itchy skin; chronic fatigue and difficulty breathing. Myeloma can also result from the product, and signs include bone problems, anemia, and fatigue.
Do You Have a Case?
If you suspect that you might have contracted any of these cancers, do not hesitate to see your physician. Not only do you want to start treatment right away, but you will also want to talk to a lawyer because these treatments can be costly. Even if you have excellent insurance coverage, you may be eventually facing lost wages and other expenses.
Anyone who has used Monsanto’s Roundup and may have been exposed to it, and later diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, like Dewayne Johnson, or any other form of cancer may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Surviving family members may also be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Monsanto.
Following your doctor’s assessment of your condition, the legal team at Casey Law Offices is available to provide a free consultation.
When you talk to us, be prepared to discuss your history with using Roundup or possible exposure, and bring your medical records related to your cancer.
At Casey Law Offices, S.C., we focus exclusively on prosecuting injury claims to ensure negligent individuals and businesses are held responsible for irresponsible behavior resulting in injury so those who are harmed are fairly compensated. We represent Wisconsinites who have suffered a variety of injuries, including those related to the national opioid crisis. Please call us at 414-272-3776.