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Best Practices for Screening Roundup Claimants: Ensuring Quality and Preventing Fraud in Mass Tort Cases

 A Growing Need for High-Quality Roundup Claimants
As Roundup litigation continues to unfold, the volume of claims related to its potential link to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) continues to grow. This has led to an increasing demand for claimant leads that are not only legitimate but also meet specific criteria set by law firms. The challenge, however, is filtering out fraudulent claims without turning away legitimate individuals who may have been genuinely harmed by the product.
At Best Case Leads, we specialize in offering high-quality Roundup claimants who have been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL), ensuring that each claimant meets rigorous standards of qualification. Our claimants are guaranteed to have NHL and come with verified proof of diagnosis. Over the years, we’ve developed a set of best practices to screen and qualify Roundup claimants, ensuring that your law firm receives only the most qualified and verifiable leads.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the key best practices we follow to prevent fraud, screen out unqualified claimants, and maintain a high level of integrity in the intake process. We will also delve into some of the legal nuances surrounding Roundup litigation and provide insights into the claims process.
 
1. The Importance of High-Quality Claims in Mass Tort Cases
Mass tort cases like Roundup litigation are complicated by the sheer volume of claims, making it challenging to identify legitimate claimants. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a complex cancer with various subtypes, which complicates the process even further. Claimants may be motivated by the potential for a large payout, but this doesn’t always mean their claims are valid. Fraudulent claims and misreporting can hurt a law firm’s reputation and resources.
Key Statistics
According to a 2020 article from The New York Times, the legal battle over Roundup has been ongoing since 2015, when studies began to suggest that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, could be linked to certain cancers, particularly Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. By 2020, Bayer (which acquired Monsanto, the maker of Roundup) had faced billions of dollars in settlements for the alleged risks associated with the herbicide. These statistics emphasize the importance of thoroughly vetting claimants to ensure legitimacy. Source: The New York Times.
 
2. Screening for Fraud: Why Incentive-Based Pay Can Lead to Problems
A major issue with claimant intake processes is the use of commission-based compensation for intake agents. Many intake departments pay agents low hourly wages, with the bulk of their earnings coming from commissions based on the number of signed retainers they produce. While this may benefit the company financially, it often results in a high volume of unqualified or even fraudulent claims. Claimants may be encouraged to exaggerate or fabricate information to meet the quotas set by commission-based structures.
At Best Case Leads, we operate differently. Our agents are not incentivized based on the number of sign-ups. Instead, we prioritize quality over quantity, ensuring that only legitimate claimants are processed. This reduces the risk of fraud and enhances the accuracy of the claims we provide to law firms.
3. In-Depth Interviews: Ensuring Complete and Accurate Information
One of the most critical steps in identifying qualified Roundup claimants is conducting a thorough interview with each potential client. Intake agents should be trained to act more like investigative journalists than simple note-takers. It’s essential to dig deep into the details of the claimant’s exposure to Roundup and the specifics of their NHL diagnosis.
Key Questions to Ask Claimants
  • Where did you purchase Roundup, and what location did you buy it from?
  • How often did you use the product, and for how many years?
  • What was the primary purpose of using Roundup (e.g., personal use, home gardens, commercial use)?
  • Can you describe the symptoms that led to your diagnosis, and the timeline from symptoms to diagnosis?
  • Have you received ongoing medical treatment or check-ups for your NHL?
Asking follow-up questions to clarify any inconsistencies in the claimant’s story is crucial. For example, if a claimant cannot specify where they purchased the product or mischaracterizes Roundup as a “pesticide,” this could be a red flag.
4. Verifying Medical and Treatment History: Documenting the Diagnosis
In mass tort claims, one of the most important steps in the process is verifying the claimant’s medical situation. A legitimate claimant should be able to provide documentation supporting their Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis. While it’s not reasonable to expect a claimant to have a complete set of medical records on hand, they should be able to provide some form of proof such as:
  • Prescription bottles related to cancer treatment
  • Insurance paperwork
  • Medical bills
  • Diagnostic test results or pathology reports
For example, if a claimant claims to have had NHL for 20 years but hasn’t had any check-ups or treatments in recent years, this would raise doubts about the validity of their claim. NHL is a serious, lifelong condition, and most legitimate claimants would be receiving regular follow-up care even if they’re in remission.
5. Using Identity Verification Tools to Strengthen the Intake Process
One of the simplest but often overlooked steps in screening claimants is identity verification. Utilizing services such as BeenVerified or TransUnion’s identity verification tools ensures that claimants are who they say they are. This can help eliminate fraudulent claims and provide the foundation for further medical record retrieval.
Many intake companies fail to verify basic identity information such as Social Security numbers or birth dates, which can complicate the process of obtaining medical records and delay the claim’s progress. By implementing these verification tools early in the intake process, law firms can streamline their operations and reduce the risk of fraud.
6. The Importance of Latency and Exposure Criteria
The definition of “exposure” to Roundup has evolved over time. Law firms now typically require claimants to have had at least 10 individual exposures to Roundup within the last two years. Furthermore, most firms have set a latency period, requiring at least one year between the first use of Roundup and the diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Exposure to Roundup in home settings, such as for personal gardening or lawn care, is more common than exposure on large commercial properties. This makes it easier for claimants to prove their use of the product. However, law firms are now increasingly stringent about verifying the specifics of where and how the product was purchased. Simply stating that the claimant bought Roundup from a chain store is not enough; the store name and location should also be specified.
7. Common Issues with Claimant Fraud: Gender Breakdown and Exposure Patterns
It’s important to consider the broader context of Roundup exposure. According to data from law firms, about 60% of Roundup claimants are male, and 40% are female. This gender breakdown could be related to higher exposure among men, who may use Roundup more frequently in agricultural, lawn care, or landscaping settings. While this breakdown is not definitive, understanding these trends can help identify potential fraudulent claims. Source: Washington Post.
8. Why Clients Trust Best Case Leads for Roundup Intake Services
Best Case Leads has built a strong reputation for providing law firms with the highest quality Roundup claimants. Here’s why clients love our services:
  • Fraud Prevention: We specialize in screening out fraudulent claims and only sign qualified cases.
  • Thorough Verification: Our team conducts extensive verification processes, including medical record checks and identity verification.
  • Experienced Intake Agents: Unlike many of our competitors, our agents do more than just read from a script. They conduct in-depth interviews to ensure the validity of each claim.
  • Cost-Efficient: We provide higher-quality leads at a lower cost per compensable case, saving you money in the long run.

Conclusion:

Ensuring the Best Outcomes for Your Roundup Mass Tort Cases
By following best practices in claimant screening, verification, and fraud prevention, law firms can ensure that they are pursuing only the most legitimate and qualified Roundup claims. At Best Case Leads, we understand the intricacies of mass tort litigation and provide the expertise needed to help law firms navigate the complexities of the Roundup claims process.
 

 

To learn more about our Roundup claimant leads, visit our Mass Tort Intake page.
If you have any questions or want to discuss how we can support your firm, feel free to book a call with us.

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