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Terminally Ill California Man Awarded $289 Million in Weed Killer Case

In a case that made headlines around the world, a San Francisco jury has awarded a terminally ill man $289 million for injuries caused by extended exposure Roundup weed killer. The case is raising awareness about the herbicide glyphosate which unfortunately has also found its way into our food supply.

School Grounds Worker Contracts Cancer

Dewayne Johnson, age 46, worked for years as a school groundskeeper in the Bay Area. As part of his job, he regularly sprayed Roundup weed killer on the grounds. In one incident, his hose even broke and he was covered with the weed killer solution.

When Mr. Johnson contracted non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, he began to suspect that it might have been caused by the herbicide glyphosate, which is in Roundup weed killer. Scientists have already linked the herbicide to cancer, though the giant agribusiness Monsanto has steadfastly refused any connection.

At trial, Mr. Johnson’s attorneys presented evidence that Monsanto’s own scientists were aware of the link between cancer and glyphosate since at least the 1980s but had worked aggressively to convince the public that the herbicide was safe. Part of its campaign included paying for studies that purported to show that Roundup posed no cancer risk.

Despite the verdict, Monsanto continues to argue that the herbicide is safe and has pledged to appeal the decision. Many other lawsuits around the country are set to start, brought by plaintiffs claiming that Roundup caused their cancers.

Herbicide Found in Breakfast Foods

Few people will have as much exposure to weed killer as Mr. Johnson did. However, as reported by the Guardian, scientists have found glyphosate in a variety of breakfast foods, in particular foods made from oats. The Environmental Working Group tested 45 foods and found glyphosate in all but two.

Furthermore, the levels of glyphosate in many foods exceeded the levels deemed safe for children to consume. In fact, 75% of the products with the herbicide had high levels, including oats and snack bars made by some of the largest companies in the world.

The federal government is well aware of glyphosate in our food supply. According to internal emails, scientists in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have found the herbicide in a wide variety of foods. However, the FDA has not yet taken action or even released the results of its findings.

It should come as no surprise that this herbicide is in our food system. According to the Guardian, farmers in the US spray around 200 million pounds of roundup each year on their crops. Undoubtedly, this chemical will make its way to your kitchen table in some form.

Poisoned by a Toxic Chemical? We Can Help

Roundup is just one product on the market that poisons innocent people each. There are many more, including some products we do not yet know are dangerous.

If you suspect that a toxic exposure has caused your cancer or other illness, please reach out to us today. At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, our Miami personal injury attorneys can review your case and determine if you have a valid lawsuit.

To schedule your free consultation, please call 305-371-2692 or send us an online message.