A man from Wyoming has filed a federal lawsuit against Monsanto alleging that the company’s weedkiller Roundup caused him to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Plaintiff Gerald Kubena alleges in his lawsuit that he used Roundup weedkiller on his property from 2009 through 2018. Kubena was diagnosed with cancer in December. He claims that his lymphoma was “proximately and actually caused by exposure to (Monsanto’s) Roundup products.”
Kubena is seeking $1 million in damages in the lawsuit.
Monsanto has denied allegations that its herbicide causes cancer. The company says its weedkiller has “been used safely and successfully for decades.” Bayer, Monsanto’s parent company, says that it stands behind its products and will “vigorously defend them.”
The lawsuit alleges that Monsanto knew that its Roundup product was not as safe as advertised, pointing to evidence by court findings in New York and France. The complaint highlights studies that show the adverse side effects of Roundup and its active ingredient glyphosate.
“Despite knowledge to the contrary, (Monsanto) maintain(s) that there is no evidence that Roundup is genotoxic, that regulatory authorities and independent experts are in agreement that Roundup is not genotoxic, and that there is no evidence that Round up is genotoxic,” the lawsuit claims.
Kubena’s lawsuit is the second to be filed against Monsanto’s Roundup in federal court in Wyoming. The lawsuit is just one of thousands nationally. More than 18,000 people have sued Monsanto with similar claims. Thus far, Bayer has lost three trials that faced juries.
Earlier this summer, a California jury awarded a couple $2 billion in damages. They developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after using Roundup. Another California resident was awarded $300 million last year by a jury who found Roundup caused his cancer.
The company is reportedly looking at settling, but it is not yet clear how much a settlement would cost Monsanto and Bayer.
