Earlier this week, it was reported that a US jury in Oakland, California awarded a couple, who claimed that using Roundup weedkiller was responsible for their cancer, damages amounting to $2 billion (£1.5 billion).
The jury found that the German company responsible for the product, Bayer, had not informed users of the risks associated with the glyphosate-based herbicide and had subsequently acted negligently. However, the company strongly refute these claims and have stated that the Roundup weedkiller is safe to use.
The Roundup weedkiller product is made by US seeds and crop protection company, Monsanto, who were acquired by Bayer in 2018.
The couple who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, allegedly as a result of using the product, are Alva and Alberta Pilliod, both of whom are in their 70’s.
It is understood that Bayer will be appealing the decision. They believe that the jury’s ruling is “excessive and unjustifiable” and that the couple both had a long history of illnesses which are known to be substantial risk factors for them developing this form of cancer. Bayer commented:
“We have great sympathy for Mr and Mrs Pilliod, but the evidence in this case was clear that both have long histories of illnesses known to be substantial risk factors for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. . . and there is not reliable scientific evidence to conclude that glyphosate-based herbicides were the ‘but for’ cause of their illnesses as the jury was required to find in this case.”
However, the company is also facing over 13,400 additional US legal claims regarding its product and the cancer risks it poses.
Comment
As users of regular household products, such as the Roundup weedkiller, consumers place a large amount of trust in the items that they purchase.
For the most part, consumers are correct to place their trust in these items, as they should have been rigorously checked and tested before being sold. However, there is a small proportion of people who do get injured or develop illnesses as a result of these products and they may be able to make a compensation claim for their injuries/illnesses.
How Nelsons Can Help
At Nelsons, our expert Personal Injury team deal with these type of claims on behalf of many clients. For information about our services, please contact a member of our team in Derby, Leicester or Nottingham via our online form or call 0800 024 1976.