BELLEVILLE — A self-employed contractor and storeowner claims he developed cancer from using glyphosate-containing herbicide throughout his career.
Barry Billings filed a complaint on Aug. 6 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Growmark Inc., Monsanto Company and Helm Agro US Inc.
Billings claims the companies negligently included glyphosate in their product, a carcinogenic substance.
According to the complaint, Billings alleges he was exposed to the glyphosate-containing herbicide products throughout his career. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2016.
Billings claims he has suffered physical pain, mental distress and medical expenses.
Billings alleges the defendants allegedly failed to provide adequate warnings and instructions concerning the dangers of working with or around glyphosate-containing herbicide products.
The plaintiff requests a jury trial and damages of more than $50,000. He is represented by Ted N. Gianaris, G. Michael Stewart, Jean-Michel Lecointre and Michael Hickey of Simmons Hanly Conroy in Alton.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 18-L-519