Bayer’s Roundup Nightmare Continues: Billions Paid in Settlements, But Will Legal Battles Ever End?

For years, Bayer has been entangled in a legal quagmire surrounding its Roundup weed killer. With over $11 billion already paid in settlements and verdicts, the question on everyone’s mind is: will these legal battles ever end? The answer, unfortunately, appears to be no, at least not anytime soon. Despite Bayer’s efforts to contain the litigation, new lawsuits continue to emerge, and the science linking Roundup to cancer remains a contentious issue.

The Costly Legacy of Roundup

Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide, was first introduced by Monsanto in 1974 and quickly became one of the most widely used weed killers in the world. In 2018, Bayer acquired Monsanto, inheriting not only a lucrative product but also a massive wave of lawsuits alleging that Roundup causes cancer, specifically non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Since then, Bayer has faced a relentless barrage of legal challenges. As of October 2025, approximately 131,000 of 192,000 claims have been resolved or deemed ineligible. The company has paid out billions in settlements and verdicts, including:

June 2020: Bayer agreed to pay around $11 billion to settle thousands of Roundup lawsuits.
January 2024: A Philadelphia jury ordered Bayer to pay $2.25 billion to a man who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after using Roundup for 20 years. This verdict was later reduced to $400 million.
March 2025: A Georgia jury awarded nearly $2.1 billion to a man who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after years of Roundup usage.
May 2025: A Missouri appellate court affirmed a $611 million verdict against Bayer’s Monsanto unit, favoring three plaintiffs who alleged that Roundup caused their non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
October 2024: A Pennsylvania jury ordered Bayer to pay $78 million to a man who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after using Roundup at home and work since 1992.

These are just a few examples of the significant financial penalties Bayer has incurred due to the Roundup litigation. Beyond the monetary costs, the ongoing legal battles have also taken a toll on Bayer’s reputation and stock value. Since acquiring Monsanto in 2018, Bayer’s stock has plummeted nearly 70%.

The Science Behind the Lawsuits

At the heart of the Roundup lawsuits lies the question of whether glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, causes cancer. The scientific community is divided on this issue.

The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” in 2015. A 2019 study from the University of Washington found that exposure to glyphosate increases the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma by as much as 41%.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains that there is “no evidence that glyphosate causes cancer in humans.” Similar conclusions have been reached by the European Food Safety Authority and other regulatory agencies.

This conflicting scientific evidence has created a complex legal landscape. Plaintiffs in Roundup lawsuits often rely on the IARC classification and other studies linking glyphosate to cancer, while Bayer argues that the EPA’s assessment should take precedence.

Bayer’s Legal Strategies

Faced with mounting legal challenges, Bayer has employed a variety of strategies to defend itself against Roundup lawsuits. These include:

Appealing adverse verdicts: Bayer has consistently appealed large jury verdicts, often successfully reducing the payout amounts.
Arguing federal preemption: Bayer has argued that federal law preempts state-based claims that Monsanto failed to warn consumers of Roundup’s risks, since the EPA approved the product label without a cancer warning. However, this argument has been largely unsuccessful in courts.
Seeking legislative solutions: Bayer has lobbied for legislation at the state and federal level that would limit legal recourse for individuals claiming harm from pesticide exposure.
Settling cases strategically: Bayer has selectively engaged in settlement talks, targeting cases with weaker evidence or plaintiffs who previously rejected settlement offers.
Considering alternative legal maneuvers: Reports have surfaced that Bayer is considering a “Texas Two-Step” bankruptcy, a legal maneuver that could help the company manage its liability for Roundup cancer claims.

Despite these efforts, Bayer has struggled to stem the tide of Roundup litigation. New lawsuits continue to be filed regularly, and juries have often sided with plaintiffs, awarding substantial damages.

The Future of Roundup Litigation

So, what does the future hold for Bayer and the Roundup litigation? While it is impossible to predict the future with certainty, several factors suggest that the legal battles will continue for the foreseeable future:

The ongoing scientific debate: As long as the scientific community remains divided on the question of whether glyphosate causes cancer, lawsuits will continue to be filed.
The large number of pending cases: With thousands of Roundup lawsuits still pending, Bayer will likely face years of legal challenges.
The potential for new claims: Individuals who used Roundup in the past and develop cancer in the future may file new lawsuits against Bayer.
Bayer’s continued sales of Roundup: Despite the litigation, Bayer continues to sell Roundup, which means that new exposures and potential lawsuits are possible.

Bayer aims to “significantly contain” glyphosate litigation by the end of 2026. The company has allocated an additional $1.37 billion on top of the more than $10 billion it has already spent. However, with so many unresolved cases and the potential for new claims, it seems unlikely that Bayer will be able to completely escape the Roundup nightmare anytime soon.

What are the Alternatives?

Given the ongoing concerns about Roundup’s potential health risks, many consumers are seeking alternative weed killers. Some safer options include:

Acidic herbicides: Vinegar, also known as acetic acid, degrades cell walls and removes moisture from weeds to kill them.
Iron-based herbicides: These herbicides are particularly effective against broad-leaf weeds.
Soap salts: Ammonium nonanoate, a chemical classified as a “soap-salt,” is often used to control weeds, mosses and underbrush.
Corn gluten: Corn gluten is a natural Roundup alternative that won’t kill plants that have just begun to grow.
Manual removal: Hand-pulling weeds or using tools to remove them can be effective, although time-consuming.
Mulching: Applying mulch to garden beds can help prevent weeds from sprouting.

Statute of Limitations

It’s important to be aware of the statute of limitations for filing a Roundup lawsuit. The statute of limitations varies by state, but is typically between one and three years after a cancer diagnosis or the death of a loved one. Consulting with an attorney as soon as possible is crucial to ensure that you do not miss the deadline for filing a claim.

Seeking Legal Advice

If you or a loved one has been exposed to Roundup and diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or another type of cancer, it is important to seek legal advice from an experienced attorney. A Roundup lawsuit lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options, and can represent you in a lawsuit against Bayer.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with an attorney to discuss your specific legal situation.