Roundup Weed Killer Lawsuit (Monsanto/Bayer)

What Is This Lawsuit About?

The Roundup lawsuit is one of the most significant product liability mass tort cases in U.S. history. Tens of thousands of plaintiffs allege that Monsanto (now owned by Bayer AG) knew for decades that its flagship herbicide product, Roundup, could cause cancer — specifically non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) — and failed to warn users of this risk.

Roundup's active ingredient, glyphosate, is the most widely used herbicide in the world. It has been sprayed on farms, lawns, gardens, parks, and roadsides for over 40 years. In March 2015, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A), based on evidence from epidemiological studies, animal studies, and mechanistic data.

Following this classification, lawsuits began pouring in. The first trial, Johnson v. Monsanto (2018), resulted in a landmark $289 million verdict for school groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson, who had terminal non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Two subsequent trials in 2019 produced verdicts of $80 million (Hardeman) and over $2 billion (Pilliod, later reduced). These verdicts demonstrated that juries found Monsanto liable for failing to warn about cancer risks.

In June 2020, Bayer announced a comprehensive $10.9 billion settlement to resolve approximately 75% of the estimated 125,000 pending and unfiled claims. As of 2025, Bayer has reported over 170,000 total claims related to Roundup, and litigation continues for cases not covered by the initial settlement.

Who Qualifies?

The Roundup lawsuit is open to individuals who have a history of regular exposure to Roundup or other glyphosate-based herbicides and were subsequently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or certain other blood cancers. Both professional users (farmers, landscapers, groundskeepers) and regular residential users may qualify.

There is no single "minimum exposure threshold" established in court, but successful plaintiffs have generally demonstrated a pattern of repeated use over months or years. The stronger the documented exposure history and the clearer the link between exposure and diagnosis, the stronger the claim.

Roundup Products Containing Glyphosate

Monsanto (now Bayer) manufactured and sold a wide range of glyphosate-based herbicide products under the Roundup brand name and other labels. If you used any of the following products regularly, you may have been exposed to the active ingredient at the center of this litigation:

In addition to Roundup-branded products, glyphosate is the active ingredient in numerous other herbicides sold by different manufacturers. If you used any glyphosate-containing product and developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma, you should consult with an attorney about your potential claim.

Lawsuit Timeline

The Roundup litigation has unfolded over nearly a decade, from the initial IARC cancer classification through landmark jury verdicts and the largest product liability settlement in U.S. history. Understanding this timeline provides critical context for where the litigation stands today and what new claimants can expect.

Settlement Amounts & Key Verdicts

The Roundup litigation has produced some of the most significant jury verdicts and settlement figures in mass tort history. In June 2020, Bayer agreed to pay $10.9 billion to resolve the majority of pending Roundup claims — one of the largest product liability settlements ever.

Individual settlement amounts within this fund have varied based on factors such as the severity and type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the age of the plaintiff, the duration and intensity of Roundup exposure, and the strength of the causation evidence. Reports suggest that average individual settlements have ranged from approximately $5,000 to over $250,000, with higher-tier claims for severe or fatal cases receiving significantly more.

It is important to note that jury verdicts (like the $289M Johnson verdict or $2B Pilliod verdict) represent the highest possible outcomes and are often substantially reduced on appeal. However, they establish important legal precedents about Monsanto's liability and influence settlement negotiations for all claimants.

How to File a Roundup Claim

If you believe you qualify for the Roundup lawsuit, the process of filing a claim involves several important steps. Working with an experienced attorney is strongly recommended, as the litigation involves complex scientific evidence and specific legal requirements. Learn more about the general process in our guide on how to join a mass tort lawsuit.

Most Roundup attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no attorney fees unless your case results in a settlement or verdict. This ensures that pursuing a claim costs you nothing out of pocket.

Named Defendants

The primary defendants in the Roundup litigation are:

Internal Monsanto documents obtained during litigation (often called the "Monsanto Papers") revealed that the company had engaged in ghostwriting scientific studies, attacking independent researchers who raised cancer concerns, and cultivating relationships with EPA officials to influence regulatory review — evidence that juries found particularly damning in the initial trial verdicts.

Scientific & Medical Evidence

The scientific case against glyphosate and Roundup is built on decades of research from independent scientists, government agencies, and international health organizations. Key evidence includes:

For broader context on how chemical exposure lawsuits are evolving, see the related PFAS "Forever Chemicals" lawsuit, the Paraquat Parkinson's disease lawsuit, and the Hair Relaxer cancer lawsuit.

Frequently Asked Questions