A new lawsuit has been filed alleging that a major agricultural company’s herbicide is responsible for causing cancer in a Louisiana resident. Roger Lirette filed the complaint against Monsanto Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on August 7, 2024.
The lawsuit claims that Monsanto's widely-used herbicide, Roundup, which contains the active ingredient glyphosate, is defective and dangerous to human health. Lirette alleges that his prolonged exposure to Roundup led to his diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2023. The complaint details how Monsanto allegedly failed to provide adequate warnings about the risks associated with glyphosate, despite knowing its potential carcinogenic effects. "Roundup is unfit and unsuitable to be marketed and sold in commerce," states the complaint, adding that proper warnings and directions were not provided.
Monsanto, a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in St. Louis, Missouri, has been accused of negligence and wrongful conduct in connection with Roundup's design, development, manufacture, testing, packaging, promoting, marketing, advertising, distribution, labeling, and sale. The plaintiff contends that Monsanto was aware of the herbicide's dangers but continued to market it as safe for humans and the environment. "Monsanto represented it as safe to humans and the environment," reads one part of the filing.
The case highlights significant scientific findings related to glyphosate. In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a Group 2A herbicide—probably carcinogenic to humans—based on studies showing an increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma among those exposed to glyphosate. Despite this classification and other supporting studies dating back decades indicating potential health risks associated with glyphosate exposure, Monsanto allegedly continued its aggressive marketing campaigns touting Roundup's safety.
Lirette is seeking compensatory damages for medical expenses incurred due to his illness and additional damages for pain and suffering caused by what he describes as Monsanto's gross negligence. The lawsuit also demands punitive damages against Monsanto for their alleged fraudulent misrepresentation and concealment of Roundup’s risks from consumers like Lirette.
The case is being overseen by Judge BSL-DPC under Case ID: 2:24-cv-01962-BSL-DPC.