Roundup Weed Killer Lawsuit
Thousands of plaintiffs allege that Monsanto's Roundup herbicide caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, has paid over $10 billion to settle claims while continuing to defend the product's safety.
Key Takeaways
- Over 3,800 cases pending as of May 2026
- Bayer has paid $10.9+ billion in settlements since June 2020
- WHO/IARC classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic" (Group 2A) in 2015
- Largest verdict: $2 billion (Pilliod case, reduced to $87M on appeal)
- Cases allege Roundup caused non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Key Facts (May 2026)
| Pending Lawsuits | 3,903 cases in federal MDL |
| Total Cases (Historical) | 5,247 cases filed |
| Settlement Total | $10.9+ billion (announced June 2020) |
| Largest Individual Verdict | $2 billion → $87M (Pilliod, California, 2019) |
| First Bellwether Verdict | $289M → $78M (Johnson, 2018) |
| Active Ingredient | Glyphosate |
| IARC Classification (2015) | Group 2A - "Probably carcinogenic to humans" |
| Defendant | Bayer AG (acquired Monsanto in 2018) |
| Presiding Judge | Hon. Vince Chhabria (N.D. Cal.) |
| Can You Still File? | Limited - Most claims resolved via settlement |
Case Tracking - 2025-2026
After massive settlements, the case count has declined -11% since January 2025. Most cases have been resolved through the $10.9B settlement program.
Source: JPML MDL Statistics Reports, January 2025-May 2026
1 What Is This Lawsuit?
The Roundup lawsuit involves thousands of plaintiffs who allege that exposure to glyphosate—the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup herbicide—caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a cancer of the lymphatic system.
What is Glyphosate?
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide first introduced by Monsanto in 1974. It's the most commonly used herbicide worldwide, applied to crops, lawns, gardens, and commercial landscapes. It kills plants by inhibiting an enzyme essential for plant growth.
What is Roundup?
Roundup is Monsanto's brand name for glyphosate-based herbicide products. Different formulations (Original, Pro, Extended Control) contain varying concentrations of glyphosate plus surfactants. "Roundup Ready" GMO crops allow direct application without harming crops.
The litigation accelerated after the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" in 2015. Bayer acquired Monsanto in June 2018 for $63 billion, inheriting thousands of pending lawsuits.
IARC Classification (March 2015)
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as Group 2A - "probably carcinogenic to humans" based on "limited evidence" in humans for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and "sufficient evidence" in experimental animals. Other Group 2A agents include red meat and working night shifts.
2 The Scientific Debate
IARC Position (WHO)
Classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic" (Group 2A) in 2015 based on epidemiological studies showing associations with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, animal bioassays, and mechanistic evidence of DNA damage.
Source: IARC Monograph Volume 112 (2017)
EPA Position (U.S.)
Concluded glyphosate is "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans." However, in June 2022, the Ninth Circuit vacated the human health portion of EPA's interim decision and remanded it for further analysis. EPA is currently updating its evaluation.
Source: U.S. EPA Glyphosate Review
Key Research Studies
3 Landmark Verdicts
Dewayne "Lee" Johnson, a school groundskeeper diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, won the first Roundup trial. The jury found Monsanto liable for failure to warn and design defect. Verdict later reduced on appeal.
Edwin Hardeman, who used Roundup for 26 years on his property, was awarded $80 million after the jury found Roundup was a "substantial factor" in causing his NHL and that Monsanto failed to warn of the risk.
Alva and Alberta Pilliod, a married couple both diagnosed with NHL after decades of Roundup use, received the largest Roundup verdict—$2 billion, later reduced to approximately $87 million on appeal.
4 The $10.9 Billion Settlement
In June 2020, Bayer announced a comprehensive settlement package valued at approximately $10.9 billion to resolve the majority of Roundup litigation.
| Component | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Current Cases | $8.8-9.6B | Resolve ~75% of then-pending claims |
| Future Claims Fund | ~$1.25B | Address potential future claimants |
Bayer has reported total provisions exceeding $10 billion for Roundup litigation. The company continues to defend the product's safety while maintaining that settlements were made to avoid the uncertainty and costs of continued litigation.
5 Understanding Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system from white blood cells called lymphocytes. It's the cancer type most commonly alleged in Roundup lawsuits.
| NHL Statistics (SEER 2018-2022) | Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated new cases (2025) | 80,350 |
| Estimated deaths (2025) | 19,390 |
| 5-year survival rate | 74.2% |
| Lifetime risk | ~2.0% |
Indolent (Slow-Growing)
- • Follicular lymphoma (most common)
- • Marginal zone lymphoma
- • Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma
Aggressive (Fast-Growing)
- • Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- • Burkitt lymphoma
- • Mantle cell lymphoma
6 Who May Be Affected
Plaintiffs in Roundup litigation typically allege years to decades of regular exposure before cancer diagnosis. The following groups have the highest exposure levels:
High Exposure Groups
- Agricultural workers and farmers
- Landscapers and groundskeepers
- Licensed pesticide applicators
- Nursery and greenhouse workers
Residential Users
- Homeowners with regular lawn/garden use
- Years to decades of consistent use
- Direct mixing and application
- Diagnosed with NHL after exposure
7 The "Monsanto Papers"
During litigation, plaintiffs obtained internal Monsanto documents through discovery. These documents, released as public court exhibits, became known as the "Monsanto Papers" and formed a key part of plaintiffs' cases.
Ghostwriting Allegations
Allegations that Monsanto scientists drafted portions of published scientific articles and had academic scientists sign on as authors to give the appearance of independent research.
Regulatory Influence
Allegations of inappropriate communications and influence attempts with EPA officials regarding glyphosate safety evaluations.
Internal Risk Awareness
Allegations that Monsanto was aware of potential cancer links but did not adequately warn consumers or conduct sufficient safety testing.
Note: These documents are part of the public court record. Bayer/Monsanto disputes the characterizations and maintains its products are safe when used as directed.
8 Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roundup still being sold?
What does the EPA say about glyphosate safety?
Why do IARC and EPA disagree?
Can I still file a Roundup lawsuit?
Is this a class action lawsuit?
What is Bayer's position?
Sources & References
6 official sources citedJudicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) — Official MDL statistics
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Glyphosate regulatory information
IARC Monographs (WHO) — Glyphosate carcinogenicity classification
NCI SEER — Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma statistics
Andreotti et al., J Natl Cancer Inst. 2018; Zhang et al., Mutat Res Rev Mutat Res. 2019
Court records, Bayer corporate announcements, and news reports. Data current as of May 2026.
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Every case is unique, and results depend on the specific facts and circumstances involved. Past settlement amounts and case outcomes do not guarantee similar results in your case. If you believe you have a legal claim, you should consult with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction who can evaluate your specific situation.