Aug. 29, 2019
Talks about a potential Roundup settlement geared up and were quickly quashed in recent weeks, raising and then dashing hopes about the possibility of an $8 billion settlement.
While the two sides involved in Roundup lawsuits continue to argue the safety of the weed killer—with plaintiffs arguing it caused cancer and Bayer maintaining it is safe—a former NFL player has filed a Roundup claim, alleging his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is linked to his Roundup exposure.
The number of Roundup lawsuits continues to grow, as more people become aware of a potential link between Roundup and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Attorneys at Patterson Dahlberg are investigating potential lawsuits against Bayer for Monsanto Roundup. We won’t back down and will fight to hold them accountable for the dangerous products they put on the market.
Merril Hoge Files Roundup Cancer Lawsuit
Merril Hoge, former running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, filed a Roundup lawsuit alleging he was exposed to Roundup as early as 1977 during his time working on an Idaho potato farm. Hoge was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2003.
Hoge joins tens of thousands of plaintiffs in alleging that glyphosate, Roundup’s active ingredient, is linked to cancer and other health problems. In an interview with CBS News, Hoge says he underwent intense chemotherapy and was finally cancer-free five years after his diagnosis. Hoge’s lawsuit claims Roundup is dangerous to human health and is unfit for marketing and sale.
“Listen, I’ve been using Roundup forever,” Hoge told CBS News. “I didn’t wear gloves. We weren’t told to wear gloves or a mask.”
Describing the chemotherapy as something he could feel through his veins, Hoge alleges Roundup caused permanent injuries, physical pain, and mental anguish. He said he also faces concerns that his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma could come back or the cancer treatment could cause delayed side effects.
Already Bayer, which bought out Roundup’s maker, Monsanto, has lost three court cases alleging a link between Roundup and cancer. Juries in those lawsuits awarded hundreds of millions of dollars to the plaintiffs, though court judges have reduced massive awards.
Despite the award reductions, the average payout for the lawsuits sits at almost $50 million per plaintiff.
Bayer also faces criticisms from studies that found traces of glyphosate in 21 oat-based snack and cereal products and further found children had higher levels of glyphosate than their parents.
Confusion Over Reported Roundup Settlement
Amid growing Bayer Roundup lawsuits came a report that the company had offered between $6 billion and $8 billion to settle almost 20,000 Roundup claims. Plaintiffs’ lawyers reportedly seek around $10 billion. Bloomberg reported that lawyers sought to delay upcoming court cases so they could hammer out a settlement, with an agreement possibly taking months to reach.
The mediator called in to oversee federal lawsuits consolidated said the settlement reports were fiction with “absolutely no discussions to date of dollars or what the compensation would be for a global resolution” of the Roundup cancer lawsuits.
Lawyers for both sides, however, asked judges in St. Louis to push back upcoming cases set to be heard in court and some investors have reportedly encouraged Bayer to consider settling.
Court officials have admitted that upcoming lawsuits set to start in August and September will likely be delayed, though there is no word on whether the delay is due to a possible settlement or other factors.
If Bayer loses more lawsuits to the tune of $50 million the company could face settlement claims of double the $10 billion plaintiffs are currently seeking. The company continues to maintain that Roundup is safe for use.
Roundup Attorneys
At Patterson Dahlberg, our attorneys have the skills and resources to successfully litigate your lawsuit and obtain the compensation you deserve to help you recover. We’re here for you every step of the way, answering your questions, providing personalized attention, and building a solid case to maximize your claim.
Patterson Dahlberg’s personal injury attorneys work with medical and scientific experts to determine the link between your development of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and your exposure to Roundup herbicide.
Let us put our expertise to work for you. We will fight to get you the justice you deserve.
Contact an attorney at Patterson Dahlberg today by filling out a form or calling 507-424-3000 for a no-obligation consultation to discuss your claim.