Roundup Lawsuit: Glyphosate Cancer Claims & Bayer Settlement

The Roundup Litigation History

Roundup, the world's most widely used herbicide, has been the subject of mass tort litigation since 2018, when a California jury awarded Dewayne Johnson -- a former school groundskeeper -- $289 million against Monsanto after finding glyphosate caused his terminal non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The verdict was later reduced to approximately $78 million on appeal but stood as a landmark outcome that opened the floodgates for tens of thousands of similar claims.

Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018 for $63 billion, inherited the litigation and ultimately agreed to pay approximately $10.9 billion to settle approximately 100,000 claims -- the second-largest settlement in US pharmaceutical/chemical litigation history. Bayer maintained throughout that glyphosate is not carcinogenic when used as directed, a position consistent with EPA's assessment though at odds with the IARC's 2015 'probably carcinogenic' classification.

The Science of Glyphosate and Cancer

The scientific debate about glyphosate's carcinogenicity has been among the most contentious in recent regulatory history. The IARC's 2015 classification as 'probably carcinogenic' was based on epidemiological evidence and animal studies. The EPA has maintained a 'not likely to be carcinogenic' determination, though its assessment process has been criticized by some scientists as inadequately independent given Monsanto's historical influence on regulatory processes.

Plaintiffs' attorneys have presented internal Monsanto documents obtained through discovery showing the company worked to influence scientific publications and regulatory reviews -- evidence that plaintiffs argue demonstrates Monsanto knew of glyphosate risks while working to suppress that information.

Who May Qualify for Roundup Claims

Individuals who: used Roundup or other glyphosate-based herbicides regularly over an extended period (typically in agricultural, landscaping, or groundskeeping contexts); were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, B-cell lymphoma, or related cancers; and had their cancer diagnosis occur after significant glyphosate exposure may have viable claims.

The connection between occupational or heavy residential glyphosate exposure and NHL diagnosis is the core of individual claims. Agricultural workers, landscapers, groundskeepers, and farmers with documented heavy use and subsequent NHL diagnoses have the strongest cases.

Ongoing Litigation After the Settlement

Bayer's 2020 settlement resolved the majority of pending claims, but thousands of new claims continue to be filed from individuals not included in the settlement. Bayer proposed a class settlement for future claims that was rejected by courts as inadequate. Litigation of new and future claims continues, with the legal landscape shaped by prior verdicts, scientific developments, and ongoing regulatory proceedings.

Status 2026

Roundup litigation continues for claims not covered by existing settlements. New claims from individuals newly diagnosed with NHL after glyphosate exposure continue to be filed. Consult a mass tort attorney specializing in Roundup claims for evaluation of your specific situation. Related: Paraquat Parkinson’s disease lawsuit.

How to Get Legal Help

If you believe you qualify based on the eligibility criteria described above, the next step is a free consultation with an experienced attorney. Most plaintiff-side attorneys handling these cases work on contingency -- meaning you pay nothing unless your case results in a recovery. Bring any relevant documentation including receipts, correspondence, or evidence of the harm you experienced.

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