Effective immediately, the City of Miami has passed a resolution that bans the use of Roundup, one of the most widely used pesticides in the world. Roundup is a weed killer that has been used for decades on household properties and commercial landscapes alike. But in recent years, experts have debated the safety of glyphosate, an herbicide that’s the active ingredient in Roundup. Let our Miami product liability law firm explain.
According to recent scientific studies, it has been proven that exposure to glyphosate increases an individual’s risk for developing cancer, specifically non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. In addition to the harm Roundup has been proven to impose on the human body, it has been discovered that its’ chemicals pollute water as well and can destroy aquatic plant ecosystems.
In areas where Roundup has been frequently and consistently used, the rate of cancer diagnoses has subsequently increased. Roundup’s parent corporation, Monsanto, denies these findings, despite the fact that they are facing tens of thousands of lawsuits from cancer victims. Regardless of the outcome of these lawsuits, the City of Miami has taken matters into its own hands by implementing an immediate ban on the use of Roundup. The ban states that city-employed contractors are forbidden from using the product, although it is still available for sale and private citizens and businesses are free to use the product as they wish.
Companies Have An Obligation To Warn Customers About Risk Of Illness Or Injury Associated With Using Their Products
If you’ve been harmed by using any kind of product, that product’s manufacturer can be held liable for any injuries or illnesses you’ve sustained. Companies have an obligation to warn customers about the risk of illness or injury associated with the regular use of their products.
In the case of Roundup and Monsanto, many unsuspecting customers were exposed to the glyphosate in the pesticide and were subsequently diagnosed with cancer. Therefore, companies like Monsanto can be held liable for the illnesses their customers sustained after using Roundup, as they have an obligation to warn customers about medical and health risks of this nature, but failed to do so.
Products liability refers to the liability of any or all parties along the chain of manufacture of any product for damage caused by that product. Plaintiffs in this product liability lawsuit argue that they were not informed in any capacity about Roundup’s health risks, and they would not have used the product if they knew its active ingredients caused cancer. Without warning labels or safety alerts in commercials or advertising, Monsanto failed to adequately educate their customers, leading to life-changing and potentially fatal consequences for those diagnosed with cancer. According to the lawsuits formed against Monstanto, consumers believe the company was fully aware of the risks of Roundup but failed to warn consumers.
In some lawsuits formed against Monsanto, plaintiffs even accused the company of manipulating the data of scientific studies, conspiring with the Federal Drug Administration to minimize the appearance of risks, and otherwise lying to or misleading their consumers about the hazards that accompany the use of Roundup. The validity of these claims remain to be seen in court, but there’s a lesson to be learned for all about product liability and the options you have if you’ve been hurt by a product.
How Can I Hold A Company Accountable For A Product That Hurt Me?
Product liability lawsuits are brought upon a plaintiff in order to compensate the defendant for the damages they have suffered. These damages can mean any illness, injuries, or medical bills accrued after sustaining harm from the product. If you have been injured or become ill after using a product like Roundup, you are entitled to seek compensation from the company that created and distributed the product. If a loved one has passed away due to these injuries, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf.
In any product liability case, your lawyer will first collect the facts regarding the specifics of your case. This includes the timeline of events, such as where and when you used the product, and what medical issues you experienced after the fact. They will collate evidence regarding the way you used the product, how you were medically affected, and how the company failed you as a consumer.
Your product liability attorney will also help determine the total cost of your medical bills in order to accurately disclose how much money this unsuspected illness has cost you. In court, your product liability lawyer will defend you as a consumer and support the notion that you require compensation from the company. If the company is indeed determined to be negligently operating by failing to disclose any health risks, you may be awarded compensation.
Your product liability attorney can seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages from time spent away from work, or even pain and suffering after especially traumatic cases. You can trust that your attorney will defend what you’ve suffered in court, and will work the ensure you feel confident and secure every step of the product liability lawsuit process.
If you’re filing a lawsuit on behalf of a deceased loved one, wrongful death lawsuits require you to be punctual and timely when going through your process. There are strict deadlines to adhere to as you go through your wrongful death lawsuit. Making sure you stay on track can be difficult without the help of a wrongful death attorney, and it’s best to navigate this process with the help of a qualified legal aide. There are many potential damages you may be able to seek such as mental pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and other damages that can get you and any surviving family members the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
If You’ve Gotten Sick From A Product, You Have The Right To Seek Compensation
At Lipcon and Lipcon Attorney At Law, we defend your right to file a lawsuit against any company that’s acted negligently at your expense. If you have fallen ill or sustained an injury from using a certain product, we want to hear from you. You may be entitled to compensation for what you have suffered.
We offer a free, no-obligation consultation for Florida residents who need to file a product liability or wrongful death case. We have offices in Miami and North Miami Beach. To schedule a consultation, call our offices at (305) 440-0450 to speak with a legal representative today.