Memphis Product Liability Lawyers for Roundup Cancer Claims

Helping West Tennessee families pursue compensation from Monsanto

Monsanto is the manufacturer of Roundup weed killer which has been linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of a cancer. There is also strong evidence that Roundup can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, our product liability lawyers understand what’s required to hold manufacturers and sellers of dangerous products accountable. We represent plaintiffs who have developed terminal illnesses through repeat exposure to toxic or dangerous substances. Contact us in Memphis or Jackson to learn more.

The science behind why Roundup is a defective/dangerous product

Roundup can be found in many hardware stores and home improvement stores. It’s marketed as a good way to control weeds. It’s used widely in the agricultural sector.

A key ingredient in Roundup’s weed killer is glyphosate. Glyphosate has been named a probable carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This means there is a likely link between exposure to glyphosate and cancer. This decision was based in part on analysis of multiple studies, which found:

“people exposed to the weed killer glyphosate, marked by Monsanto under the brand name Roundup, had double the risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma…. The authors, scientists who work in the IARC Section of Environment and Radiation in Lyon, France, theorized that these pesticides were causing genetic mutations in white blood cells, thereby weakening the body’s immune system and ability to fight off disease.”

Other members of the scientific community are focused on the other products in Roundup, not just the glyphosate. The US National Toxicology Program is looking at the effects of those chemicals on decreased cell viability. The tests are examining the effect of glyphosate alone and in combination with these other chemicals.

Understand the signs, symptoms, and prognosis for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

According to the American Cancer Society, cells which begin to grow out of control can develop into cancer. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (also called NHL) is a form of cancer that begins in the white blood cells – “called lymphocytes, which are part of the body’s immune system.” Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is different that Hodgkin Lymphoma. NHL usually begins in the lymph nodes or lymph tissue, though it can also affect the skin. The lymph system is part of the body’s immune system which fights infections and diseases. The major sties of lymph tissue are:

• The lymph nodes
• The spleen
• Bone marrow
• The thymus
• Adenoids and tonsils
• The digestive tract

The treatment depends on the type of NHL a patient has, which in turn, depends on whether B cells or T cells are affected, the maturity of the cells when they are affected, and other issues. The two main forms of NHL are indolent (slow-growing lymphoma) and aggressive lymphoma. If not properly treated, NHL can spread to the liver, bone marrow, or brain.

The symptoms can vary from patient to patient. Some of the signs include:

• Swollen lymph nodes
• Digestive pain and swelling
• Constant tiredness
• Respiratory difficulties
• Fever
• Other complications

Treatments include radiation, a bone marrow transplant, and chemotherapy. Survival rates vary depending on the type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the patient’s age, the stage of the disease, and where the NHL is located.