If your cancer was caused by Roundup, the lawyers at Anidjar & Levine can help you get compensation.
The popular weedkiller Roundup has been in the news for the past few years regarding its possible risk of causing cancer, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and pediatric brain cancer. Despite the company’s insistence that Roundup is safe to use, a California jury determined the product was a substantial factor in one man getting cancer. Edwin Hardeman was awarded $80 million in damages.
After having suffered cancer’s effects and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, Edwin finally had a possible explanation for his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Roundup contains the herbicide glyphosate, which studies have linked to various forms of cancer.
Overview of Roundup
When Monsanto first introduced Roundup in 1974, some say it as an innovative herbicide that was effective and safe for killing weeds. It allowed farmers to eliminate virtually all weeds without the need for tilling, thus reducing soil erosion. Roundup also appeared to be environmentally friendly, as it broke down into natural products. Today, Roundup is believed to be toxic to people.
Is Roundup a Carcinogen?
Answers to this question vary. For example, research from the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) identifies glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, as a carcinogen that causes cancer. Conversely, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that glyphosate is not a carcinogen and does not pose a risk to public health.
So, Roundup may or may not increase your risk of developing some forms of cancer. However, if you or someone you love was diagnosed with cancer after exposure to the glyphosate in Roundup products, a Roundup lawyer from our law firm may be able to prove Roundup caused or contributed to your diagnosis and collect financial compensation for you.
What Is the Cancer-Causing Ingredient in Roundup?
The University of Washington’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS) cites glyphosate as a cancer-causing ingredient in Roundup. Its research indicates that this ingredient in the weedkiller can increase the risk of some cancers. The department also believes glyphosate exposure significantly increases the risk (by as much as 41%) of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
How do You Get Cancer from Roundup?
It may be possible to get cancer from Roundup through prolonged exposure to its primary ingredient, glyphosate. Exposure to glyphosate may potentially cause DNA damage that leads to cancer in humans.
You can be exposed to Roundup by breathing it in after it is sprayed, by handling plants wet with Roundup, or by ingesting it when you eat or smoke after handling it without washing your hands.
What Types of Cancer does Roundup Cause?
According to the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), glyphosate may cause or contribute to the following types of cancer:
- Breast cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Liver cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Myeloid leukemia
There is additional research suggesting glyphosate exposure can lead to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and pediatric brain cancer.
Can Roundup Cause Hodgkin’s Lymphoma or Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
Scientific research does not point to Roundup causing Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Research does, however, establish a clear and compelling link between Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Roundup, currently owned by Bayer, is facing thousands of lawsuits across the country. Many of these lawsuits claim the herbicide caused their non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This cancer originates in the lymphatic system, a network of nodes that allow your body to fight disease. An overproduction of white blood cells forms tumors that surround the lymph nodes and create swelling.
Symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:
- Swelling lymph nodes in the neck, underarms, or groin
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Chest pain, coughing, or shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Fever or night sweats
- Weight loss
Seeking Medical Care
Seek medical attention if you experience any of those symptoms and think you may have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. For a proper diagnosis, you may need imaging tests, a skin biopsy, or a bone marrow biopsy. Also, knowing whether your non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma began in your B cells or T cells may help you determine what your treatment options are.
Can Roundup Cause Leukemia?
The University of Washington’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS) indicates that glyphosate can increase the risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma—which may include chronic lymphocytic leukemia—by as much as 41%.
Leukemia is a fairly rare form of cancer, with under 200,000 new cases reported in the U.S. each year. The condition mainly affects children and teens. Leukemia is a cancer of early blood-forming cells. While it often affects the white blood cells, there are many different types of leukemia, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Patients with slow-growing types of leukemia may not display symptoms. Fast-growing leukemia may cause symptoms including:
- Frequent infections
- Excessive bleeding
- Bruising easily
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
Treating Leukemia
Treatment is vastly different depending on which variation of leukemia a patient has. Your doctor may recommend monitoring slow-growing cancer or treating fast-growing cancer with chemotherapy, radiation, or a stem-cell transplant.
Pediatric Brain Cancer
A study published in BMC Public Health found that a review of evidence did not support concerns that glyphosate-based pesticides could pose risks to unborn children.
However, a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that unborn children could develop brain cancer if a parent was exposed to herbicides. The effects of exposure could even be as far-reaching as two years before their children were born.
Symptoms of pediatric brain cancer include:
- Feeling pressure in the head
- Frequent or severe headaches
- Sudden vision problems
- Hearing problems
- Trouble eating
- Vomiting
Treating This form of Cancer
The most common treatment for brain cancer in children is surgery. Your child’s surgeon may recommend removing a slow-growing brain tumor to alleviate pressure. Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy for more aggressive forms of brain cancer.
Who Is Most at Risk?
As more research pours in, it would appear that the popular herbicide Roundup increases the risk of some cancers by more than 40%. The widespread use of glyphosate in many agricultural and residential herbicides means that glyphosate is likely in food, water, and dust. Practically anyone could be exposed.
People with the most exposure to glyphosate have the highest risk of developing cancer. This includes farmers, landscapers, and anyone who uses Roundup for residential use.
Legal Representation
If you were diagnosed with cancer after exposure to Roundup or exposure to glyphosate in another herbicide, you deserve to receive compensation. A Florida Roundup lawyer from our firm will take your case on and fight for justice and compensation on your behalf. You should not have to worry about handling any legal work, so leave it to us.
Some of the actions we will manage include:
- Investigating your situation
- Collecting evidence, including evidence of your exposure to glyphosate at home or work
- Proving negligence on the part of Roundup’s manufacturer
- Assessing the value of your damages claim or lawsuit carefully and accurately
- Filing your claim and/or lawsuit
- Making in-person appearances in court for you, if necessary
- Defending your rights
Our Roundup lawyer will work to achieve the best possible outcome for you. We will fight for the financial award that covers all your economic and non-economic damages.
Damages You Could Recover in a Roundup Legal Action
You may be entitled to various economic and non-economic damages. The damages you could recover include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lost income due to missing work because of your illness
- Diminished earning capacity if you must take a lower-paying job due to your illness
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Household services you may require due to your condition
You could recover other damages not listed. We will tirelessly advocate for you, as we want to bring you justice and fair compensation.
Contact Us Today for Your Free Roundup Case Review
Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for a free consultation with a Roundup cancer lawyer who understands the damage that Roundup exposure causes.
You may have a limited time to take action, and you do not want to be barred from seeking compensation. It is best to reach out for help as soon as possible and allow one of our lawyers to begin work on your case right away. Contact us today for your free consultation.
