Nationwide Deal Targets Thousands of Claims
Bayer and attorneys representing cancer patients unveiled a proposed $7.25 billion settlement aimed at resolving thousands of U.S. lawsuits alleging the company failed to warn consumers that its weedkiller Roundup could cause cancer. The agreement was filed in Missouri state court and still requires judicial approval.
The proposal is structured to cover most pending cases, along with future claims from individuals exposed to Roundup before the settlement announcement. Bayer said it reserves the right to withdraw the deal if too many plaintiffs opt out, though it did not specify a threshold.
Supreme Court Case Still Moving Forward
The settlement comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments in April over whether federal approval of Roundup’s labeling by the Environmental Protection Agency preempts state-level failure-to-warn claims. That case remains separate and would not be directly affected by the proposed agreement.
However, the settlement reduces uncertainty on both sides. Plaintiffs would secure compensation even if the Court rules in Bayer’s favor, while Bayer would limit exposure to potentially larger damages if the justices rule against it.
Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, continues to dispute claims that glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup, causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Still, the company has acknowledged that prolonged litigation has weighed heavily on its finances and market position.
How Compensation Would Be Calculated
According to court filings, more than 125,000 claims have been filed since 2015. While some cases have already been resolved through earlier settlements, the new nationwide framework is intended to address most remaining claims.
The proposal calls for Bayer to make annual payments into a settlement fund for up to 21 years. Individual payouts would vary based on factors such as age at diagnosis, severity of illness and type of exposure. For example, agricultural or industrial workers diagnosed with aggressive forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma before age 60 could receive average payouts of about $165,000. Residential users diagnosed later in life with less aggressive disease could receive approximately $20,000 on average.
Attorney Christopher Seeger, who represents current claimants, said the agreement is designed to ensure meaningful compensation for both present and future patients.
Regulatory and Political Context
Roundup sold to U.S. residential consumers no longer contains glyphosate, though the substance remains in agricultural formulations. The EPA has maintained that glyphosate is not likely carcinogenic when used as directed, and federal labeling includes no cancer warning.
Bayer argues that federal pesticide laws should override state requirements, preventing failure-to-warn claims. The Trump administration has supported that position before the Supreme Court, reversing the stance taken by the previous administration.
Meanwhile, Bayer has lobbied state lawmakers to enact protections shielding pesticide manufacturers from certain state-level lawsuits if their products meet federal labeling standards. North Dakota and Georgia have already passed such measures.
