For decades, Roundup weed killer was marketed as a safe and effective herbicide. It was used widely across Louisiana in backyards, public parks, farms, and industrial sites. But mounting evidence has shown that Roundup’s key ingredient, glyphosate, is linked to serious health risks, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other cancers.
In New Orleans and surrounding parishes, Roundup was commonly used by homeowners, landscapers, and agricultural workers. Today, many of those same people are facing life-changing cancer diagnoses tied to years of exposure.
At the Gertler Law Firm, we represent Louisiana residents harmed by Roundup. With more than 50 years of experience in product liability litigation, including toxic exposure and asbestos cases, we know how to hold corporations accountable when they fail to protect the public from dangerous chemicals.
What Is a Roundup Lawsuit?
Roundup Weed Killer Lawsuits in Louisiana
A Roundup lawsuit is a legal claim against Monsanto (now owned by Bayer), the company that manufactured and sold Roundup. Plaintiffs argue that Monsanto:
- Knew or should have known about the link between glyphosate and cancer.
- Failed to provide adequate warnings to consumers.
- Marketed Roundup as safe despite mounting scientific evidence to the contrary.
These lawsuits are typically filed as mass torts or multidistrict litigation (MDL), where individual claims are coordinated in federal court. Louisiana residents can join these national cases while still working with trusted local counsel in New Orleans.
How Widespread Is Roundup Use?
Since its release in the 1970s, Roundup has become the most widely used herbicide in the world, sold in more than 130 countries and approved for over 100 crops. Farmers, landscapers, and homeowners used it heavily in Louisiana to control weeds in fields, lawns, and public spaces.
Monsanto also developed Roundup Ready crops, genetically engineered to resist glyphosate, so entire fields could be sprayed without damaging crops. By the late 2010s, glyphosate-resistant corn, soybeans, and cotton made up the vast majority of U.S. crops, further increasing exposure risks.
Bayer, which purchased Monsanto in 2018 for $66 billion, has since faced tens of thousands of lawsuits tied to Roundup-related cancers. In 2020, Bayer announced a $10.9 billion settlement to resolve around 125,000 claims and later set aside an additional $4.5 billion for future cases.
Health Risks Linked to Roundup
Scientific studies and court findings have linked Roundup exposure to several serious health conditions, including:
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Multiple Myeloma
- Other forms of cancer
But cancer is not the only concern. Research and medical reviews have also connected glyphosate exposure to a broader range of conditions, such as:
- Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease
- Liver and kidney damage
- Birth defects and developmental disorders
- Endocrine disruption and reproductive issues
Acute glyphosate poisoning can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin and eye irritation, and in severe cases, respiratory distress or kidney failure. For Louisiana residents who handled Roundup regularly, these risks were often unknown because of Monsanto’s failure to warn.
Major Roundup Verdicts and Settlements
Juries across the country have repeatedly sided with victims who developed cancer after using Roundup:
- 2018: A California jury awarded $289 million to Dewayne Johnson, a school groundskeeper with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- 2019: Edwin Hardeman, who used Roundup for 30 years, received an $80 million verdict.
- 2019: A California couple, Alva and Alberta Pilliod, were awarded $2 billion (later reduced to $87 million) after both developed lymphoma.
These verdicts helped pave the way for Bayer’s massive 2020 settlement. They also show a consistent pattern: when the evidence is presented, juries agree that Monsanto failed to protect consumers.
Where Roundup Exposure Occurs in Louisiana
Roundup has been widely used across Louisiana, particularly in:
- Residential Lawns and Gardens: Homeowners purchasing Roundup from local hardware stores.
- Public Parks and Schools: Groundkeepers applying Roundup in areas like Audubon Park, City Park, and school fields.
- Agricultural Fields: Farmers in Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes using Roundup in large-scale crop production.
- Industrial Sites: Utility and refinery workers exposed during vegetation control efforts.
Because glyphosate exposure can occur through both direct application and residual contact, many victims were unknowingly put at risk.
Louisiana Law and Roundup Claims
Roundup lawsuits in Louisiana are governed by the Louisiana Products Liability Act (LPLA), as well as federal court procedures for mass torts. Key aspects include:
- Strict Liability: Plaintiffs may not need to prove negligence, only that Roundup was unreasonably dangerous.
- Failure to Warn: One of the strongest claims against Monsanto is inadequate warning about cancer risks.
- Other Theories: Plaintiffs may also argue defective design, breach of warranty, misrepresentation, or fraud.
- One-Year Statute of Limitations: Louisiana generally requires claims to be filed within one year of diagnosis or discovery of the link between cancer and exposure.
- MDL Participation: Many Louisiana cases are filed locally and then coordinated with national multidistrict litigation.
Our attorneys handle both the local filing process and coordination with national Roundup litigation teams.
What Regulators Say About Roundup Safety
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has maintained that glyphosate poses “low toxicity for humans.” However, in 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
Independent studies since then have shown higher risks of non-Hodgkin lymphoma among agricultural workers exposed to glyphosate. This regulatory conflict highlights why juries often side with victims over corporate claims of safety.
How Gertler Law Firm Supports Roundup Victims
With decades of toxic exposure litigation experience, the Gertler Law Firm is uniquely positioned to represent Roundup victims in New Orleans and across Louisiana. We:
- Work with medical and scientific experts to prove the link between glyphosate exposure and cancer.
- Review purchase records, work histories, and exposure details to establish causation.
- Calculate damages including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
- Represent clients in both local Louisiana courts and federal MDL proceedings.
We have fought and won cases for individuals harmed by asbestos, tobacco, and other dangerous products, and we bring that same level of commitment to Roundup victims.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roundup Lawsuits
Who can file a Roundup lawsuit?
Anyone diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or another related condition after exposure to Roundup may be eligible. This includes farmers, landscapers, groundskeepers, homeowners, and industrial workers.
Is Roundup still on the market?
Yes, though many retailers have stopped selling it. Bayer has announced plans to remove glyphosate from U.S. consumer products but continues to defend Roundup’s safety.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Louisiana law generally requires filing within one year of diagnosis or discovering the connection to Roundup.
What compensation is available?
Compensation may cover medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and in some cases, punitive damages.