Roundup ruling gives promise to Southwest Florida plaintiffs

A California jury unanimously ruled in favor of a 70-year old man suing the makers of the popular weed-killer, Roundup.

Monsanto, which is owned by Bayer, is facing 11-thousand lawsuits around the country from people who claim the product caused or contributed to their non-Hodkins Lymphoma.

Jeff Joffe, a dentist from Charlotte County, is among those plaintiffs.

Joffe used Roundup around his home for weed control for 15 years before his diagnosis with cancer in 2016.

Joffe’s attorney told WINK News via email Wednesday the verdict from California is promising news for several clients he’s representing in Southwest Florida.

The ruling is the second jury verdict in favor of a plaintiff against Monsanto.

In August, a California court awarded nearly $80 million to a landscaper with non-Hodkins Lymphoma.

Bayer said in a press release it does not feel the decisions in California will impact future cases.

The most recent ruling is just the first phase of the trial, and the company feels the next phase will have a different result.

“We are disappointed with the jury’s initial decision, but we continue to believe firmly that the science confirms glyphosate-based herbicides do not cause cancer. We are confident the evidence in phase two will show that Monsanto’s conduct has been appropriate and the company should not be liable ….” Wrote a company spokesperson.

The company is also trying to reverse the 2018 ruling.