These are very trying times for Monsanto, the producers of Roundup herbicide. Roundup, their star product, is facing some heated ban and recall calls. It gets worse. There are multiple lawsuits around the US against their herbicide. In light of all these, it’s vital to know whether you can continue using Roundup or whether it has been banned in your area.
Furthermore, if you have been using Roundup for a long time, it would be best to speak to a defective product lawyer. If you talk to a lawyer, they can tell you what your remedies are if you endanger yourself by using the product.
Why Are Governments Banning Roundup?
Roundup is a popular weed killer in the United States and many other countries. Many Americans have used the herbicide on their farms and lawns for decades. It became the farmer’s choice because of its strong weed control capabilities. You can trace the unique effectiveness of this chemical to its most active ingredient – glyphosate.
It’s also this glyphosate that’s the problem with Roundup. In recent years, studies and government agencies have alleged that glyphosate is a carcinogen. A carcinogen is a substance that can cause or exacerbate cancer in a human. Some plaintiffs have instituted lawsuits claiming that the herbicide caused their non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other diseases.
In fact, in 2015, the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) stated that glyphosate is “Probably carcinogenic to humans.” However, the producers of the herbicide claim that it’s safe for use. They have submitted that the carcinogenic claims are false and the chemical is even excellent for the environment. Despite their attempts at damage control, governments around the world are banning the product to protect their citizens.
Can You Still Use Roundup, or Has It Been Banned?
The governments of certain countries have outrightly banned the use of Roundup herbicide. These countries include Luxembourg, Vietnam, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia. Some other countries didn’t outrightly ban the product. Instead, they placed some restrictions and regulations on it.
The United States hasn’t instituted a general ban on Roundup. This is despite the IARC’s conclusion on glyphosate’s possible carcinogenic nature. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) still maintains that glyphosate is unlikely to be carcinogenic to humans.
However, some states and counties are taking this initiative themselves. Some US states are already considering banning the chemical. Many more have issued partial restrictions such as prohibiting its use in public places or aquatic bodies. These states include Connecticut, Florida, California, Illinois, Iowa, etc.
Therefore, if you live in a state that has banned Roundup, it would be best not to use the herbicide. Using it would be against the state’s regulations. There may even be penalties for such use. However, if your state or county hasn’t banned Roundup, then you can continue using it on your farms and lawns at your discretion.
How Does the Ban on Roundup Affect Your Lawsuit?
You’re most likely concerned with how the ban will affect Roundup lawsuits. Prohibition or not, there are already many Roundup lawsuits in American courts. Some of these lawsuits are already at advanced stages. Furthermore, many of these cases have already been settled in favor of the plaintiffs.
Roundup’s ban, in a way, may help many plaintiff’s cases. This is because a ban is a sort of acknowledgment by the concerned government that the herbicide is harmful. The ban implies this, although Roundup’s manufacturers maintain that their product is not dangerous. In this manner, the government may be giving your case a boost.
There’s also a chance that there will be increased Roundup lawsuits. This is because the restrictions will encourage many more persons who may have claims against Monsanto to come forward. The implication may be that Monsanto and other manufacturers will quickly settle cases to avoid further liability. Therefore, the ban on Roundup will most likely have a positive effect on your case.
Rueb Stoller Daniel Lawyers Can Help You
If you’re a frequent user of the chemical, you’re already susceptible to non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer. If your doctor has already diagnosed you with cancer, you can recover compensation against the herbicide manufacturers. You only need to join other plaintiffs who already have suits against Monsanto.
However, proceeding against the producer on your own will be challenging. This is because the company has enough resources to quash single lawsuits. At Rueb Stoller Daniel our lawyers are committed to helping victims of defective products get remedies against erring manufacturers. If you hire us, we can start your case against Monsanto. So, call us today for a FREE consultation on your case.
