Springtime in Texas and elsewhere around the country is the season that bring many residents outdoors to work on their lawns. After the winter has passed, most homeowners toil diligently to beautify their lawns and gardens. Pesticides are often used to combat the growth of weeds around their houses. While the use of pesticides is common, one couple filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of a popular weed killer after they became ill. A jury recently awarded them more than $2 billion in the defective products case.
The couple stated that they had used the product Roundup on their property in another state for decades. The husband was told he had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2011. His wife received the same diagnosis in 2015. The man and woman had contended that Monsanto, the manufacturer of the product, had not adequately warned users of the potential hazards.
Records show that thousands more lawsuits are being filed against Monsanto in both state and federal courts. The recent verdict came only two months after another man had been awarded $80 million after he alleged that use of Roundup had led to his diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Last year, a groundskeeper at a school was initially awarded $289 million; however, the award was later reduced by a judge to $89 million.
Advocates hope that the verdicts will send a message to Monsanto that if the product is to be sold, appropriate warnings and instructions for use should be clearly stated. If someone has suffered an illness or injury because of a company's defective products, he or she may wish to file a lawsuit against the business responsible for manufacturing and selling the products. A Texas personal injury attorney will work with clients to achieve the most favorable outcome possible in the litigation.