⚡ Quick Answer
What is the Roundup lawsuit? Roundup — the world's most widely used herbicide — has been linked to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other cancers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate, Roundup's active ingredient, as a probable human carcinogen in 2015. Over 170,000 lawsuits have been filed against Bayer and Monsanto, and more than 100,000 claims have already settled for a combined $11 billion-plus. On June 25, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 for Monsanto, holding that federal law preempts state failure-to-warn claims based on an EPA-approved label. A separate $7.25 billion class settlement remains on track, with a final fairness hearing set for August 19, 2026.
⚖️ Legally reviewed by William Ettenger, Esq.
Who Qualifies for a Roundup Cancer Lawsuit
Eligibility focuses on people who were exposed to Roundup or generic glyphosate-based herbicides and were subsequently diagnosed with cancer. Both occupational and residential use qualify. Farmers, landscapers, groundskeepers, nursery workers, and home gardeners have all successfully brought claims.
Qualifying Criteria:
How Roundup Causes Cancer — What Bayer Is Accused Of
Lawsuits allege that Bayer and Monsanto knew — or should have known — that glyphosate causes cancer, and that they deliberately suppressed and misrepresented the scientific evidence for decades to protect Roundup's massive commercial revenues.
1. IARC Classified Glyphosate as a Probable Human Carcinogen
In 2015, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a Group 2A probable human carcinogen based on its review of epidemiological studies and animal data. The strongest evidence linked glyphosate exposure to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This classification directly contradicted decades of Monsanto's public safety messaging.
2. Decades of Suppressed Science — Internal Documents Are Damaging
Internal Monsanto documents produced in litigation revealed that the company ghostwrote scientific studies favorable to glyphosate, worked to discredit independent researchers whose findings were critical of Roundup, and lobbied regulators to maintain the herbicide's approval without a cancer warning. These documents — dubbed "Monsanto Papers" — have been devastating at trial and are central to punitive damages awards.
3. Failure to Warn Consumers About Cancer Risk
No Roundup label has ever included a cancer warning. Plaintiffs allege Monsanto and Bayer had evidence of glyphosate's cancer risk long before the IARC classification but chose not to disclose it to consumers or regulators. The core failure-to-warn theory is now before the Supreme Court, which will decide whether federal pesticide law precludes these state-law claims.
4. Continued Aggressive Marketing Despite Growing Evidence
Even after the 2015 IARC classification, Bayer (which acquired Monsanto in 2018) continued to aggressively market Roundup as safe for consumers and agricultural workers. Plaintiff attorneys argue this sustained marketing in the face of known risk supports punitive damages — reflected in some of the billion-dollar jury verdicts before appellate reduction.
Cancers Recognized in Active Roundup Claims
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and its subtypes are the primary basis for Roundup litigation. The scientific evidence for NHL is the strongest, and most plaintiff verdicts and settlements involve NHL diagnoses. Attorneys may also evaluate multiple myeloma and leukemia depending on exposure history.
Strongest Scientific Link — Primary Basis for Claims
Also Alleged in Active Cases
Settlement Amounts & What Affects Your Claim Value
Bayer has paid approximately $11 billion to settle over 100,000 prior Roundup claims. Verdicts at trial have ranged from $1.25 million to over $2.25 billion before appellate reduction. A proposed new $7.25 billion settlement was announced in February 2026. Key factors attorneys use to evaluate claim value include:
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NHL subtype and aggressiveness — Aggressive forms like DLBCL typically command the highest values; indolent subtypes may be valued lower
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Duration and intensity of exposure — Occupational use over many years (farming, landscaping) is the strongest exposure profile; residential use also qualifies
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Severity of illness and prognosis — Active cancer, remission status, long-term health impact, and life expectancy all factor into damages
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Medical expenses and lost income — Chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplants, and ongoing care costs contribute to compensatory damages; younger plaintiffs with significant earning capacity ahead see larger economic damages
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Venue and jury verdict history — California, Missouri, and Pennsylvania state courts have produced significant plaintiff verdicts; venue selection matters considerably
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Supreme Court outcome — The June 2026 ruling for Monsanto weakens failure-to-warn claims specifically; cases built on design-defect or negligence theories are less affected and may retain more value
Bayer's proposed class settlement (King v. Monsanto) would pay up to $7.25 billion over as long as 21 years to resolve current and future NHL claims. A Missouri state court granted preliminary approval on March 4, 2026. Objectors who sought to move the case to federal court were unsuccessful, and the settlement remains in Missouri state court. A final fairness hearing is scheduled for August 19, 2026 after being postponed from July.
If approved, estimated average payouts range from roughly $10,000 to $165,000, with claim scoring potentially pushing the highest standard payments to around $198,000 before medical liens, legal fees, and other deductions. The agreement also includes a $1 billion security fund to protect class members if Monsanto were to enter bankruptcy.
All amounts are subject to final court approval and case-specific claim scoring. Past settlements and verdicts do not guarantee future outcomes.
Disclaimer: Past settlements and verdicts do not guarantee future outcomes. Compensation depends entirely on case-specific facts, venue, and litigation developments including the pending Supreme Court ruling.
Supreme Court Ruling & What "Preemption" Means for Your Claim
On June 25, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of Monsanto in Monsanto Co. v. Durnell, reversing a $1.25 million Missouri jury verdict. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the majority opinion; Justice Clarence Thomas filed a concurrence; Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch. This is the most significant legal development in the Roundup litigation to date.
What Is "Preemption"?
Federal preemption is the legal principle that a federal law can override, or "preempt," conflicting state law. The Court found that FIFRA's preemption clause bars states from imposing labeling requirements — including through common-law failure-to-warn claims — that are "in addition to or different from" what EPA has approved.
What the Ruling Does NOT Decide
The decision addresses a specific category of claims — state failure-to-warn theories based on EPA-approved labeling. It does not resolve whether Roundup actually causes cancer, and legal analysts note that other theories of liability, including design defect, manufacturing defect, negligent testing, and fraud claims, may still be asserted depending on the facts and applicable state law.
What Happened Next
Following the ruling, Bayer asked the judge overseeing the federal MDL to dismiss the roughly 3,900 pending federal cases, arguing the decision eliminates the core theory behind the consolidated litigation. Plaintiffs' attorneys are opposing the motion, pointing out that design-defect and negligence claims were not addressed by the Court and can still proceed. As of mid-July 2026, cases remained pending in the MDL while that motion is litigated.
What It Means If You Have a Pending or Potential Case
A Supreme Court ruling does not automatically dismiss every case — courts apply it individually based on each claim's legal theory. If your case relies solely on a failure-to-warn theory, it faces significantly greater risk. If your attorney can also assert design-defect or negligence claims, your case may still proceed. This makes it more important than ever to have an attorney evaluate the specific legal theories available in your case.
Filing Deadlines by State
Most states allow 2–3 years from the date of diagnosis to file a Roundup lawsuit. Many states apply a discovery rule — which starts the clock when you knew or reasonably should have known your cancer was linked to Roundup — potentially extending your window. Missing your deadline permanently bars your claim.
| State | Standard SOL | Discovery Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2 years | Yes | MDL in N.D. Cal.; significant state court activity in Alameda County; multiple plaintiff verdicts |
| Missouri | 5 years | Yes | $611M jury verdict upheld on appeal; longer SOL provides more filing flexibility; active state docket |
| Pennsylvania | 2 years | Yes | Philadelphia mass tort proceedings; $78M verdict in Melissen case (2024); active trial venue |
| New York | 3 years | Yes | Longer standard SOL provides more flexibility; individual cases active in state court |
| Illinois | 2 years | Yes | Cook County defense verdict upheld by Illinois Appellate Court (Sept. 2025); mixed trial results statewide |
| Texas | 2 years | Yes | Active individual case filings; large agricultural exposure population in state |
| Florida | 2 years | Yes | Federal MDL cases filed in S.D. Fla. for non-settled claimants; state court filings active |
| Louisiana | 1 year (strict) | Limited | Fifth Circuit upheld dismissal in skin cancer case on SOL grounds; act immediately if LA resident |
| All Other States | Typically 2–3 years | Varies | Active cases filed across all 50 states. Do not assume it is too late — consult an attorney immediately. |
Roundup Lawsuit Updates — 2026
Last updated August 2026. We update this section monthly with MDL activity, settlement news, and court rulings.
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Mid-July 2026 LatestBayer Moves to Dismiss Federal MDL Cases; Plaintiffs Oppose: Citing the Durnell ruling, Bayer asked the judge overseeing the federal Roundup MDL to dismiss the roughly 3,900 pending federal cases. Plaintiffs' attorneys are opposing the motion, arguing the ruling only reaches failure-to-warn claims and that design-defect and negligence theories survive. As of mid-July, about 3,920 cases remained pending in the MDL while the motion is litigated. Separately, a Missouri federal judge rejected an attempt by settlement objectors to move the $7.25B class settlement to federal court, keeping the approval process in Missouri state court.
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June 25, 2026Supreme Court Rules 7-2 for Monsanto in Durnell: The Supreme Court held that FIFRA expressly preempts state-law failure-to-warn claims where the EPA-approved label does not require a cancer warning, reversing the $1.25 million Durnell verdict. Justice Kavanaugh wrote the majority opinion; Justice Thomas concurred; Justice Jackson dissented, joined by Justice Gorsuch. The decision does not address design-defect, negligence, or fraud theories, which may still support claims depending on state law.
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April 27, 2026Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Durnell: The Court heard oral argument in Monsanto Co. v. Durnell on whether FIFRA preempts state failure-to-warn claims. The case drew significant public attention, with protesters gathering outside the Court ahead of arguments.
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April 2, 2026Sen. Cory Booker Backs Roundup Plaintiffs: Senator Cory Booker publicly came out in support of Roundup plaintiffs ahead of the Supreme Court argument, adding political visibility ahead of the oral arguments and underscoring the broader public health implications of the preemption ruling.
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March 2026New Study Links Midwest Roundup Use to Higher NHL Rates: A Food & Water Watch report found that Midwestern counties with the highest Roundup application rates also have elevated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma incidence — bolstering plaintiff expert testimony on geographic causation and supporting arguments for agricultural worker exposure claims.
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February 17, 2026Bayer Proposes $7.25 Billion Settlement to Resolve Current and Future Claims: Bayer announced a proposed class settlement of $7.25 billion to cover both existing and future NHL lawsuits, covering plaintiffs diagnosed before March 4, 2026. The deal requires court approval and participation from a supermajority of existing plaintiffs. Some law firms are pushing for higher individual payouts and have not committed. Plaintiff attorneys were initially given until March 4, 2026 to signal preliminary approval; that deadline was extended after attorneys requested more time to consult with clients.
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February 1, 2026Supreme Court Agrees to Review $1.25M Missouri Roundup Verdict: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Bayer's appeal in Durnell v. Monsanto, examining whether FIFRA and EPA label approval preempt state failure-to-warn claims. This followed a December 2025 recommendation from the U.S. Solicitor General supporting Bayer's petition. The MDL judge advised plaintiffs who previously rejected settlement offers to reconsider given the pending ruling.
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January 2026Key Pro-Bayer Safety Study Retracted: Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology retracted a 2000 Monsanto-linked glyphosate review after disclosures of financial conflicts of interest and concerns about the validity of its findings. Defense attorneys had repeatedly cited this study in MDL proceedings. Its retraction was a significant win for plaintiffs and removed a key pillar of Bayer's safety narrative.
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December 2025U.S. Solicitor General Recommends Supreme Court Hear Roundup Case: The Solicitor General filed a brief supporting Bayer's Supreme Court petition, backing the preemption argument based on the EPA's long-standing position that glyphosate is not likely carcinogenic. This was a significant development — though legal observers noted the SG's position does not determine how the Court will rule.
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September 20, 2025Illinois Appellate Court Upholds Cook County Defense Verdict: The Illinois Appellate Court upheld a 2023 Cook County verdict in favor of Monsanto, reinforcing that Roundup litigation carries real trial risk for plaintiffs even in plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions. The result underscored the importance of strong case-specific evidence and expert qualifications.
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September 1, 2025MDL Judge Permits Access to Bayer Monsanto Acquisition Files: Judge Chhabria granted plaintiffs access to Bayer's due-diligence files from its 2018 acquisition of Monsanto — documents that may show what Bayer knew about Roundup's cancer risk before completing the $63 billion deal.
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August 2025Bayer Increases Reserves by $1.37B; Announces Glyphosate Alternative: Bayer boosted its Roundup litigation reserve by $1.37 billion and announced a new herbicide based on icafolin-methyl as a commercial glyphosate alternative — signaling that the company is preparing for sustained long-term liability regardless of the Supreme Court's summer 2026 decision.
You May Still Have a Roundup Claim — Find Out for Free
The Supreme Court's ruling limited one legal theory, but design-defect and negligence claims may still apply, and the $7.25B settlement is moving toward final approval. If you developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after Roundup exposure, an attorney can evaluate your options now.
Start My Free Case ReviewHow the Roundup Lawsuit Process Works
Roundup attorneys work on contingency — you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered.
- Free confidential consultation — Share your Roundup exposure history and cancer diagnosis with an attorney at no cost. You do not need to have documentation in hand before reaching out.
- Case review and evidence gathering — Your attorney documents your exposure history (occupation, years of use, frequency), obtains medical records confirming your diagnosis, and identifies any employment records or product receipts that establish Roundup use.
- Filing the lawsuit — Your case is filed in the federal MDL in California (MDL-2741) or a state court, depending on exposure profile and venue strategy. Active state court venues producing favorable outcomes include Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.
- Discovery — Both sides exchange evidence. Internal Bayer/Monsanto documents — including the "Monsanto Papers" — revealing internal awareness of cancer risk and efforts to suppress independent science have been among the most damaging disclosures in prior trials.
- Expert testimony — Epidemiologists, oncologists, and toxicologists present the scientific evidence linking glyphosate to NHL. Expert qualification under Daubert standards is critical, particularly given the Ninth Circuit's ongoing scrutiny of causation methodology.
- Settlement evaluation or trial — Your attorney advises whether to join the proposed $7.25B class settlement or pursue individual litigation on surviving legal theories, given the Supreme Court's June 2026 ruling limiting failure-to-warn claims. Design-defect and negligence claims were not addressed by the ruling and may still support individual litigation.
- Compensation distributed — If your case settles or a verdict is reached, your attorney is paid a contingency percentage (typically 33–40%). If they don't recover, you owe nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for a Roundup lawsuit?
You may qualify if you were exposed to Roundup or generic glyphosate-based herbicides — occupationally or through home and garden use — and were later diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or a related cancer. Farmers, landscapers, groundskeepers, and residential gardeners have all brought successful claims.
You must also be within your state's statute of limitations — typically 2–3 years from diagnosis. Contact an attorney immediately to confirm your deadline. New lawsuits are still being accepted.
What is the $7.25 billion Roundup settlement?
Bayer has proposed a $7.25 billion class settlement (King v. Monsanto) to resolve current and future non-Hodgkin's lymphoma claims, paid out over up to 21 years. A Missouri state court granted preliminary approval on March 4, 2026, and objectors who tried to move the case to federal court were unsuccessful.
A final fairness hearing is scheduled for August 19, 2026. If approved, average payouts are estimated between $10,000 and $165,000, with some claims scoring higher. The deal also includes a $1 billion security fund in case Monsanto enters bankruptcy.
What did the Supreme Court decide in the Roundup case?
On June 25, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 for Monsanto in Monsanto Co. v. Durnell, holding that federal law (FIFRA) preempts state failure-to-warn claims when the EPA-approved label does not require a cancer warning. This reversed a $1.25 million Missouri verdict and significantly weakens the failure-to-warn theory used in most pending Roundup lawsuits.
The ruling does not address design-defect, manufacturing-defect, negligence, or fraud claims, which may still support a case depending on state law. Bayer has since asked the federal MDL judge to dismiss roughly 3,900 pending cases; plaintiffs' attorneys are opposing that motion.
Can I still file a Roundup lawsuit in 2026?
Yes, though the Supreme Court's June 2026 ruling makes new failure-to-warn claims significantly harder to win. Attorneys are still evaluating cases on design-defect and negligence theories, which the ruling did not address. Roughly 61,000 to 65,000 Roundup claims remain active nationwide — most in state courts, with about 3,900 in the federal MDL. Contact an attorney to confirm whether your case has a viable legal theory and whether you are within your state's statute of limitations.
What cancers are linked to Roundup?
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and its subtypes are most strongly associated with glyphosate exposure. The IARC classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen in 2015, with the strongest evidence pointing to NHL. Subtypes commonly litigated include diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, and CLL/SLL.
Some lawsuits also allege multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and hairy cell leukemia, though these carry more evidentiary burden than NHL claims.
How much is a Roundup lawsuit worth?
Bayer has paid approximately $11 billion to settle more than 100,000 prior claims. Individual trial verdicts have ranged from $1.25 million to over $2 billion before appellate reduction. Factors affecting value include NHL subtype and severity, duration and intensity of exposure, age, medical expenses, lost income, and venue. Individual allocations under the proposed $7.25B settlement have not been published.
Is Roundup still sold?
Bayer removed glyphosate from consumer Roundup formulations in 2021. Some commercial and agricultural versions may still contain glyphosate. In August 2025, Bayer announced a new herbicide based on icafolin-methyl as a commercial alternative. If you used Roundup before 2021, glyphosate exposure may still form the basis of a claim.
What if my family member died from Roundup-linked cancer?
Family members of deceased Roundup victims may be eligible to file wrongful death or survival action claims. Estates may also have standing depending on state law. Act promptly — wrongful death statutes of limitations are often shorter than standard personal injury deadlines, and the proposed $7.25B settlement extends coverage to certain wrongful death claims.
