FREE Case Evaluation: 1-888-887-3117

Contact

Roundup Litigation: Where Do Things Stand

Roundup Lawsuit Status: Critical Updates 2025

Understanding the Current Roundup Lawsuit Status

The roundup lawsuit status is complex and constantly evolving. For those seeking a quick overview, here is a snapshot of where things currently stand:

  • Ongoing Litigation: Thousands of cases remain active in federal Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) and state courts, with new trials and verdicts expected throughout 2025.
  • Past Settlements: Bayer has settled approximately 100,000 claims for around $11 billion, but an estimated 60,000 to 67,000 lawsuits are still pending.
  • Primary Claim: Plaintiffs allege that exposure to glyphosate, Roundup's active ingredient, causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other cancers.
  • Bayer's Position: Bayer, which owns Monsanto, maintains that Roundup is safe, continues to appeal unfavorable verdicts, and is exploring new settlement strategies.
  • Eligibility: Individuals diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after significant Roundup exposure may still be eligible to file a lawsuit, though deadlines vary by state.

The legal battle over Roundup is one of the largest mass tort litigations in history, highlighting a critical debate on product safety and corporate responsibility. This guide will help you understand the latest developments and what they mean for those affected.

As the founder of Justice Hero, my mission is to connect individuals impacted by defective products with the legal support they need.

Roundup Lawsuit Status Infographic - roundup lawsuit status infographic

Roundup lawsuit status terms explained:

The Scientific and Regulatory Controversy: Does Roundup Cause Cancer?

At the heart of the Roundup lawsuits is a high-stakes scientific debate: does Roundup cause cancer? The answer depends on which agency you ask, creating the central conflict of the litigation.

The Core of the Claims: Glyphosate and Cancer Risk

The key question is whether glyphosate, Roundup's active ingredient, is carcinogenic. The litigation gained significant momentum in 2015 when the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as a "probable human carcinogen."

The cancer most strongly linked to Roundup exposure is Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL), a blood cancer affecting the immune system. Other related cancers cited in lawsuits include Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). You can learn more about what cancers are included in the Roundup lawsuit.

Further compelling evidence came from an independent meta-analysis which found that agricultural workers with high glyphosate exposure had a 41% increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma—a significant red flag that has been central to the plaintiffs' cases. This research has been crucial for people wondering can Roundup cause cancer.

The Defendants' Position: Bayer's Defense and Regulatory Disagreement

On the other side, Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, maintains that Roundup is safe when used as directed. The company points to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has consistently stated that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans. This creates a scientific split: the WHO's cancer research arm says it's "probably carcinogenic," while the EPA says it's safe.

This disagreement is central to Bayer's legal strategy of "FIFRA preemption." The company argues that since the EPA approved its labels without a cancer warning under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, state courts cannot penalize them for failing to add one.

Bayer's position was complicated by the "Monsanto Papers." These internal documents, made public during litigation, contained troubling allegations. The papers suggested Monsanto may have ghostwritten scientific studies, recruited experts to put their names on company-written research, and worked to discredit scientists who raised safety concerns. These revelations damaged Monsanto's credibility, suggesting the company may have known about risks and worked to hide them. You can learn more about the corporate history in our guide on who makes Roundup.

Despite this, Bayer argues that adding a cancer warning would be false and misleading based on its interpretation of the scientific evidence. This scientific tug-of-war continues to influence every aspect of the roundup lawsuit status.

Current Roundup Lawsuit Status and Key 2024-2025 Developments

The roundup lawsuit status is dynamic, and while many cases have settled, the legal battle is far from over.

Litigation Landscape: MDL and State Court Filings

Courthouse building - roundup lawsuit status

Most federal Roundup cases are consolidated in Multidistrict Litigation (MDL 2741), overseen by Judge Vince Chhabria in the Northern District of California. As of July 2025, 4,425 cases remain active in the MDL. However, there has been a significant shift toward filing new lawsuits in state courts, with Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Illinois emerging as key venues for trials. This means that while the MDL handles broad legal issues, individual trials are proceeding nationwide. Get the Latest Roundup Lawsuit Update here.

Recent Blockbuster Verdicts and Appeals

Gavel on a desk - roundup lawsuit status

Despite Bayer's claims of safety, juries have delivered several massive verdicts against the company in 2024 and 2025:

  • McKivison v. Monsanto (Pennsylvania, January 2024): A jury awarded $2.25 billion to a man who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The award was later reduced to $400 million, which Bayer still plans to appeal.
  • Barnes v. Monsanto (Georgia, March 2025): A $2.1 billion verdict for a man with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after two decades of use. The verdict caused Bayer's stock to drop significantly.
  • Caranci v. Monsanto (Pennsylvania, October 2023): A $175 million verdict that was upheld on appeal in May 2025.
  • Missouri Verdict (November 2023): A $1.56 billion award for four plaintiffs, later reduced to $611 million.

While these are major wins for plaintiffs, Bayer consistently appeals unfavorable verdicts to have them reduced or overturned. A large jury award does not guarantee an immediate payout. You can follow more of these ongoing stories in our Roundup Litigation Updates.

In response, Bayer has implemented a multi-pronged "5-Point Plan" to manage the litigation. This strategy includes:

  • Appealing Verdicts: The plan includes appealing every adverse verdict to higher courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, though the high court has largely declined to hear these cases.
  • Lobbying Efforts: Bayer has spent nearly $10 million lobbying for legislation like the Pesticide Injury Accountability Act and state-level laws that could offer protection from future lawsuits.
  • Settlement Negotiations: The company continues to engage in settlement negotiations, resolving smaller groups of cases to manage its overall risk.
  • Product Changes: Bayer removed glyphosate-based Roundup from the U.S. residential market starting in 2023. This strategic move aims to limit future liability, though commercial formulas remain available. Bayer has even floated threats to stop selling Roundup in the U.S. entirely.

The financial toll on Bayer has been immense. The company has spent $10 billion on settlements and allocated up to $16 billion for current and future claims. The litigation has caused its stock to drop over 70% since the 2018 Monsanto acquisition, leading to speculation about the potential for a Monsanto bankruptcy.

A History of Landmark Trials and Settlements

Understanding the current roundup lawsuit status requires looking back at the landmark trials that shaped the litigation.

The Initial Wave: Pivotal 2018-2019 Test Trials

Newspaper headline about a large verdict - roundup lawsuit status

The initial "bellwether" trials were pivotal, testing how juries would react to the evidence. The results were stunning losses for Monsanto (now owned by Bayer) and set the stage for mass settlements.

  • Johnson v. Monsanto (2018): In the first bellwether trial, a California jury awarded school groundskeeper Dewayne "Lee" Johnson $289.2 million after linking his terminal non-Hodgkin lymphoma to Roundup. Though reduced on appeal, the verdict sent a clear message that juries were receptive to the plaintiffs' claims.
  • Hardeman v. Monsanto (2019): Edwin Hardeman was awarded $80.2 million in the first federal trial. The verdict was significant as the judge had allowed key scientific evidence for the plaintiff to be presented to the jury.
  • Pilliod v. Monsanto (2019): A California jury awarded Alva and Alberta Pilliod, a couple who both developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma, an astounding $2.055 billion. Though later reduced, the verdict solidified the legal threat to Monsanto.

These three verdicts put immense pressure on Bayer and led to a new phase in the litigation. Find more details in our guide: Monsanto vs. The Public: A Guide to All Lawsuits Filed Against Monsanto.

The Mass Settlement Era: Bayer's $11 Billion Deal

Facing devastating trial losses and tens of thousands of pending lawsuits, Bayer shifted its strategy toward settlement. In June 2020, Bayer announced a landmark $10.9 billion settlement to resolve about 100,000 claims. To date, approximately 109,000 of 154,000 total claims have been settled or deemed ineligible.

However, the deal did not resolve the issue of future claims. In May 2021, MDL Judge Vince Chhabria rejected a separate $2 billion proposal to handle future cases, finding it insufficient to protect future claimants. This left the door open for new lawsuits and ongoing financial liability for Bayer.

Settlement negotiations continue, often using a point system to value claims based on the severity of illness and extent of exposure. Our Roundup Lawsuit Settlements and Payouts guide has more information on this.

Filing a Roundup Lawsuit: Eligibility and Process

It is still possible to file a Roundup lawsuit if you meet certain criteria. Understanding the eligibility requirements and legal process is the first step.

Who Can File a Roundup Lawsuit? Eligibility Criteria

To file a claim, you generally must meet the following criteria:

  • Significant Roundup Exposure: This is a key criterion. It may mean you used Roundup for at least 150 hours, for two years or more before diagnosis, or on more than ten occasions in your lifetime. This often applies to agricultural workers, landscapers, and groundskeepers.
  • A Qualifying Cancer Diagnosis: The primary cancer linked to Roundup is Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). Related lymphatic cancers like Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) may also qualify.
  • Timely Diagnosis: For many U.S. cases, a diagnosis on or after June 1, 2018, is important. If a loved one passed away from NHL after Roundup exposure, their family may file a wrongful death lawsuit.

A critical factor is the statute of limitations, the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit, which varies by state. This deadline can be as short as one year from diagnosis or from the date you finded the link between your illness and Roundup (the "findy rule"). Consulting an attorney immediately is vital to determine your specific deadline. If you believe you meet these criteria, learn more about How to Join Roundup Lawsuit.

Once you determine you may be eligible, the next step is to consult with an experienced mass tort lawyer. They will help you with gathering evidence, such as proof of Roundup purchases, work records, and comprehensive medical records.

A qualified mass tort attorney will be your advocate. They typically offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if they win your case. Your lawyer will handle every step: filing the lawsuit correctly, navigating the MDL or state court systems, negotiating with Bayer/Monsanto for a fair settlement, and preparing for trial if necessary.

Potential payouts are unique to each case. Estimates for settlements range from $5,000 to $250,000, with an average around $150,000. Trial verdicts can be much higher but are often reduced on appeal. Factors influencing the payout amount include:

  • The type and severity of your cancer
  • The extent of your medical treatment and suffering
  • Your age and prognosis
  • Lost wages and earning capacity
  • In some cases, punitive damages to punish the company

Explore more about these figures in our guide: What is the Average Payout for Roundup Lawsuit?.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Roundup Lawsuit Status

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the Roundup lawsuit status.

What is the current roundup lawsuit status for new claims?

The roundup lawsuit status for new claims is active. Thousands of cases are still pending in the federal MDL (over 4,400 as of July 2025) and in state courts. New lawsuits are regularly filed, especially by those with recent non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnoses. Recent multi-billion dollar verdicts in 2024 and 2025 show the litigation is far from over, so it is not too late to file a claim if you believe you are eligible. For the latest information, see our Roundup Weed Killer Lawsuit Update.

Are there deadlines for filing a Roundup lawsuit?

Yes, there are critical deadlines. Each state has a statute of limitations that sets a time limit for filing a lawsuit. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to compensation. The clock typically starts at the date of diagnosis, but some states use a "findy rule," where it starts when you finded (or should have finded) the link between your cancer and Roundup. Because these laws are complex and vary by state, it is essential to consult an attorney immediately to determine your specific deadline. Our Best Lawyer for Roundup Lawsuit page can help.

Have all Roundup lawsuits been settled?

No, not all lawsuits have been settled. While Bayer reached an $11 billion agreement in 2020 to resolve about 109,000 claims, tens of thousands of lawsuits remain pending—with estimates between 60,000 and 67,000. Bayer continues to litigate new cases, negotiate smaller settlements, and appeal unfavorable verdicts. The legal battle is ongoing for thousands of plaintiffs. For more details, see our guide on the Latest News on Roundup Settlement.

Conclusion: The Unresolved Future of Roundup Litigation

The roundup lawsuit status remains a complex and unresolved story of science, corporate responsibility, and the law. The legal landscape is unpredictable, with massive plaintiff verdicts often followed by reductions on appeal, alongside defense wins for Bayer.

Bayer continues its comprehensive strategy of appealing verdicts, negotiating settlements, lobbying for legislative protection, and reformulating products for the residential market to manage its ongoing legal and financial risk.

The most significant unresolved issue is how to handle future claims. Judge Chhabria's rejection of Bayer's proposed settlement for future victims left a major gap in their strategy. The legal system is still struggling with how to compensate those who may develop cancer years from now, meaning this litigation could continue for the foreseeable future.

At Justice Hero, our mission is to provide clear, accessible information on complex legal issues like the roundup lawsuit status, helping you understand your options.

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after significant Roundup exposure, don't let uncertainty stop you. A qualified attorney can assess your eligibility and guide you through the process. State-specific deadlines are critical, so it's important not to delay. The path to justice can be overwhelming, but you don't have to face it alone. Learn more about the Roundup Lawsuit and let us connect you with the legal support you need.

On This Page

Case Status:

Defendants:

Injuries:

envelopephonemap-markercrossmenu