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Plaintiff Alleges Chemical Giants' Herbicide Caused Cancer

LOUISIANA RECORD

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Plaintiff Alleges Chemical Giants' Herbicide Caused Cancer

Federal Court
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James D. Cain, Jr., Judge at USDC Western District Louisiana | https://upload.wikimedia.org/

A lawsuit has been filed against two major corporations, alleging that their products have caused severe health issues for a Louisiana resident. Rachel Hinton, a 55-year-old from Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on November 1, 2024. The defendants named in the case are Monsanto Company and Bayer Corporation.

The case centers around Hinton's claim that her diagnosis of follicular lymphoma is linked to prolonged exposure to Roundup, a herbicide produced by Monsanto and later acquired by Bayer. According to the complaint, Hinton was exposed to Roundup through various means over several decades, including agricultural use on her family's farm and nursery as well as residential applications. The plaintiff alleges that both companies were aware of the carcinogenic risks associated with glyphosate, an active ingredient in Roundup, but failed to adequately warn consumers or take steps to mitigate these risks.

Hinton's complaint provides a detailed history of Monsanto's production of hazardous chemicals over the years, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, DDT, and Agent Orange—all substances with documented health risks. The document also outlines Bayer's controversial past with products like heroin-laced cough syrup and tainted blood clotting agents. Despite this history, both companies allegedly continued to market Roundup as safe for public use.

The lawsuit accuses Monsanto and Bayer of multiple violations under Louisiana law, including product liability due to design defects and inadequate warnings. It claims that the companies engaged in deceptive trade practices by misrepresenting Roundup’s safety profile despite evidence suggesting its potential harm. The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages for medical expenses and other economic losses related to her illness. Additionally, she requests punitive damages under Missouri and New Jersey laws—where Monsanto and Bayer are domiciled—for their alleged reckless conduct.

Representing Rachel Hinton in this legal battle are attorneys from unnamed law firms. The case is yet to be assigned a judge but is identified under Case ID 2:24-cv-1510.

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