Analyzing the Roundup lawsuits allows us to learn a great deal about product liability claims. Our mass torts product liability attorneys explain crucial lessons in product liability law in this blog. We discuss how these cases have influenced legal strategies, the importance of scientific evidence in liability claims, and the potential impacts on future product liability litigation.
How Do the Roundup Lawsuits Influence Legal Strategies?
The legal principle of product liability is that a consumer has a reasonable expectation that a product is safe for its intended use. Therefore, the mass torts attorneys handling Roundup lawsuits must prove that the weed killer is not safe to use for its intended purpose.
In the Roundup lawsuits, plaintiffs allege glyphosate exposure increases the risk of cancer. Glyphosate is the primary ingredient in Roundup. Numerous sources have cited the dangers and risks of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other cancers, including the World Health Organization.
Product liability attorneys must prove several elements of a product liability lawsuit. The manufacturer can be strictly liable for damages if a defective product causes an injury. You must prove that the product was defective or dangerous, the product caused your injury, and you sustained damages. In Roundup lawsuits, the legal strategy is to prove that Roundup is dangerous and causes cancer after prolonged exposure. Therefore, scientific evidence is a crucial element of the case.
The Importance of Scientific Evidence in Product Liability Cases
Product liability cases often hinge on the strength of the scientific evidence proving a product was defective or dangerous and that quality caused the plaintiff’s injuries. Some product liability claims are straightforward. If your stove explodes while baking a cake, it is safe to say that the stove did not perform as intended.
However, alleging a product causes cancer is insufficient to prove the product causes cancer. You must have scientific data that backs up your claim. The jury must understand how a substance interacts with the body to produce adverse health conditions. In the case of Roundup, why is glyphosate dangerous to humans, and how does it cause cancer?
The scientific evidence in the Roundup lawsuits contradicts itself. Some sources claim that glyphosate is safe to use according to the instructions and that the herbicide does not pose a significant cancer threat. However, there is substantial scientific evidence linking Roundup exposure to an increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Product liability attorneys use the evidence and opinions from expert witnesses to build a solid case of liability.
The Potential Impacts of Roundup Lawsuits on Future Product Liability Litigation
Bayer AG merged with Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup. Bayer has defendant Roundup lawsuits claiming that the product is safe for its intended purpose and that the company did nothing wrong. However, Bayer has had over 125,000 claims. Juries have awarded millions of dollars in damages to plaintiffs in lawsuits.
However, the current cases are not the only problems Bayer faces. Future product liability litigation may be on the horizon because Roundup is still in use in the United States. Therefore, more people could be exposed to glyphosate and develop cancer. Furthermore, it takes years for a person to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after exposure to Roundup. Therefore, Bayer could face ongoing product liability litigation for years.
Can You File a Roundup Cancer Lawsuit?
If you were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or related cancer, contact our mass torts attorneys for a free consultation. You could be entitled to substantial compensation for your injuries and damages.