How Your Illegal Immigration Status is Protected When Filing a Los Angeles Roundup Lawsuit

For years, farmworkers, landscapers, and groundskeepers across California have used the herbicide Roundup, trusting it was safe. Now, many of these same hardworking individuals are facing a devastating diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, an aggressive cancer linked to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. While thousands have sought justice by filing lawsuits against the manufacturer, Bayer, there is a community of victims who remain in the shadows, suffering in silence. These are the undocumented workers who fear that coming forward will put them at risk of deportation.

This fear is understandable, but it is based on a critical misunderstanding of your rights. In the United States, the right to seek justice in a court of law is not limited by your immigration status. You do not have to be a citizen to hold a powerful corporation accountable for the harm its products have caused you. At Walch Law, we are committed to defending the rights of all victims of negligence. This guide will explain how the legal system protects your privacy and how we can help you file a Roundup lawsuit safely and confidentially.

Your Right to Justice Has No Borders

The U.S. Constitution and California law guarantee that everyone, regardless of their immigration status, has access to the courts. This principle is fundamental to our justice system. When a company sells a dangerous product that causes cancer, its liability does not change based on the citizenship of the victim. Your right to file a personal injury lawsuit is based on the harm you suffered, not where you were born.

Courts have consistently ruled that a defendant (like Bayer) cannot use a victim’s immigration status to avoid responsibility. The focus of a Roundup lawsuit is on two things:

Did exposure to Roundup cause your non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
What are the full extent of the damages you have suffered as a result?

Your immigration status is irrelevant to answering these questions. A corporation that poisoned a worker cannot get a discount on justice simply because that worker is undocumented.

Legal Protections That Safeguard Your Privacy

The legal system has specific rules in place to protect sensitive information and prevent it from being used to intimidate or retaliate against a victim. In California, these protections are particularly strong.

Evidence Code Section 351.2

California law explicitly prohibits the use of a person’s immigration status as evidence in a personal injury case unless there is a very specific and compelling reason that is approved by a judge in a private hearing. The purpose of this law is to prevent defendants from using a person’s immigration status to scare them or to prejudice a jury against them. This means the defense lawyers for Bayer generally cannot ask you about your immigration status during a deposition or bring it up in front of a jury.

Protective Orders

Your attorney can request a “protective order” from the court. This is a legally binding order that strictly limits how sensitive information, including your immigration status, can be used. It can forbid the information from being shared with any outside parties, including government agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Violating a protective order has severe legal consequences for the defense attorneys.

Attorney-Client Privilege

Everything you discuss with your lawyer is protected by attorney-client privilege. This is one of the oldest and most sacred rules in the legal profession. It means your attorney cannot reveal your confidential communications—including information about your immigration status—to anyone without your express permission. This protection allows you to be completely honest with your legal team without fear.

How Your Attorney Protects You

An experienced personal injury attorney acts as your shield throughout the legal process. Our job is not only to win your case but also to protect you from harassment and intimidation.

We take several proactive steps to safeguard your privacy:

We make it clear to the defense team from the start that your immigration status is off-limits and irrelevant.
We will aggressively object to and fight any attempt by the defense to inquire about your status.
We will immediately seek a protective order from the court if we suspect the defense may try to misuse your information.
We handle all communications on your behalf, ensuring you are not put in a vulnerable position.

Damages You Can Recover, Regardless of Status

Undocumented workers who win a Roundup lawsuit are entitled to the same types of compensation as any other victim. This compensation is intended to cover all the losses you have suffered due to your cancer diagnosis.

Medical Expenses: You can recover the full cost of all past and future medical care, including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, hospital stays, and medications. This is true even if you received care at a public hospital or through a charity program.
Lost Wages: You have the right to be compensated for the wages you lost while unable to work due to your illness. You can also claim damages for “loss of future earning capacity” if your cancer prevents you from returning to the same type of work. While proving this can be more complex for undocumented workers, it is a right you are entitled to.
Pain and Suffering: This is compensation for the immense physical pain and emotional trauma of battling cancer. It covers your fear, anxiety, depression, and the loss of enjoyment of life. This is often the largest component of a settlement, and your immigration status has no bearing on the value of your suffering.

Steps to Take If You Are Undocumented and Have Cancer

If you have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and believe it was caused by Roundup exposure, taking these steps can help you prepare to seek justice safely.

Prioritize Your Health: Your first and most important step is to get the medical care you need. Your health comes first.
Document Your Exposure: Write down everything you can remember about your work with Roundup. Where did you work? What were the years? How often did you spray? Did you ever get it on your skin or clothes?
Gather Work Records: Collect any documents you have related to your employment, such as pay stubs, letters, or even photos of you at your worksite.
Do Not Speak to Your Employer’s Insurance: If anyone offers you a quick settlement or asks you to sign documents, do not do so without speaking to an attorney.
Contact an Attorney Who Understands Your Situation: It is vital to choose a law firm that has experience working with the immigrant community and understands your specific concerns.

How Walch Law Fights for Undocumented Victims

At Walch Law, we believe that justice is for everyone. We are proud to represent all members of our community, and we have the experience to handle these sensitive cases with the dignity and privacy they deserve.

Confidential and Free Consultations: Your consultation with us is 100% free and completely confidential. We will listen to your story, explain your rights, and answer your questions without any risk or obligation. We can also provide services in Spanish.
Compassionate and Aggressive Representation: We treat you like family while fighting like warriors on your behalf. We understand your fears and will take every possible measure to protect you throughout the legal process.
Proven Results: We have a track record of winning substantial settlements for our clients, ensuring they have the financial resources to care for their families and their future.
No Fee Unless We Win: We handle all Roundup lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us absolutely nothing unless we secure a financial recovery for you.

Your Voice Deserves to Be Heard

You worked in some of the toughest conditions to provide for your family. You should not have to bear the cost of a life-threatening illness caused by a company’s greed. Your immigration status does not make your life any less valuable or your suffering any less real.

Contact the experienced and compassionate attorneys at Walch Law today for a free, completely confidential consultation. Let us show you how you can safely and powerfully fight for the justice you and your family deserve.