CARLSBAD, Calif. – A San Diego County jury has reached a multi-million dollar verdict in a lawsuit between a local man and the chemical giant Monsanto Company, which is now owned by Bayer. The lawsuit, filed in November 2021, alleged that the man’s rare cancer diagnosis was linked to his years of using the popular weed killer Roundup. The plaintiff, Mike Dennis, who is 57 years old, was diagnosed with mycosis fungoides, a rare form of T-cell lymphoma, in 2020. His attorneys argued that the active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, causes DNA damage and leads to cancer when absorbed through the skin.
According to Adam Peavy, one of the attorneys representing Dennis, the plaintiff had been using Roundup products for over three decades. Dennis had reported suffering from rashes on his hands and feet, but doctors were unable to determine the cause and treated him for psoriasis or eczema instead. It was not until Dennis did his own research and consulted his doctors that he suspected a connection between his illness and his use of Roundup.
Despite the successful treatment and remission Dennis has experienced thus far, his battle with cancer is ongoing. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has no cure, and Dennis lives with the constant uncertainty of whether his cancer will return.
Bayer, in response to the jury’s verdict, expressed disagreement and stated its intention to appeal. The company believes that reversible legal and evidentiary errors were made during the trial and argued that the damage award was unconstitutionally excessive. Bayer also highlighted its previous success in similar cases, winning nine out of the last twelve trials and resolving most of the claims filed against them.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, has been the subject of controversy and debate. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maintains that when used in accordance with its current label, glyphosate does not pose any risks to human health and is unlikely to be a human carcinogen. However, the lawsuit and others like it bring attention to the questions surrounding the safety of this widely used herbicide.
In conclusion, a San Diego County jury has ruled in favor of a Carlsbad man who claimed that his cancer diagnosis was a result of long-term use of Roundup. Mike Dennis, the plaintiff, will receive a significant financial settlement from Monsanto Company, now owned by Bayer. The verdict sheds light on the ongoing debate surrounding the potential health risks associated with glyphosate. Despite the legal victory, Dennis continues to battle his illness, as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has no cure. The court case and its outcome serve as a reminder of the importance of examining the potential hazards of widely used chemicals and the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure consumer safety.