Bayer’s Monsanto subsidiary filed a proposed $7.25 billion class action settlement on February 17, 2026 to resolve tens of thousands of cancer claims tied to its Roundup weedkiller. If approved by a state court in St. Louis, Missouri, the deal would create a structured payment program lasting up to 21 years — covering both current plaintiffs and people who develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the future after prior exposure to the herbicide.
Check your eligibility and learn how to file a Roundup claim here.
Status: Proposed — Awaiting Court Approval
Who Qualifies for the Roundup Settlement?
The proposed settlement targets anyone in the United States who was exposed to Roundup and has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This includes people who used Roundup at home in their yards and gardens, agricultural workers who applied it commercially, landscapers, groundskeepers, and anyone else who had repeated contact with the product over time.
The settlement is designed to cover two groups:
- Current plaintiffs — the roughly 65,000 people who already have lawsuits pending against Bayer and Monsanto in state and federal courts nationwide
- Future claimants — individuals who were exposed to Roundup before February 17, 2026 and who receive a non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis at any point during the next 21 years
This second category is significant. Many cancers linked to chemical exposure take years or even decades to develop. By including future claimants, the settlement attempts to account for people who do not yet know they are sick.
How Much Could You Receive?
Bayer has not disclosed individual payment amounts. With $7.25 billion spread across 65,000 existing claimants plus an unknown number of future claims over 21 years, the per-person payout will depend on several factors:
- The severity and stage of your cancer diagnosis
- How long and how frequently you were exposed to Roundup
- Whether you can document your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages
- How many total claims are ultimately filed under the program
For context, Bayer previously paid approximately $10 billion around 2020 to settle an earlier wave of Roundup claims. Individual payouts in that round varied widely, with some plaintiffs receiving six-figure settlements and others receiving less depending on the strength of their cases.
Why Is Bayer Settling Now?
Bayer has been fighting Roundup cancer lawsuits since it acquired Monsanto for $63 billion in 2018. Despite the company’s position that scientific evidence supports the safety of glyphosate — Roundup’s active ingredient — juries have repeatedly sided with plaintiffs.
Some of the most notable trial outcomes include:
- $2.1 billion — jury verdict in Georgia (March 2025)
- $2.25 billion — verdict in Philadelphia that was later reduced on appeal
- $289 million — the original 2018 verdict in the Dewayne Johnson case, the first Roundup trial, later reduced to $78.5 million
These massive verdicts, combined with a steady stream of new lawsuits, created enormous financial uncertainty for Bayer. The company’s stock price has suffered for years as investors struggled to predict the total cost of the litigation. The proposed settlement represents Bayer’s attempt to cap its exposure and move forward.
The Supreme Court Wild Card
Hanging over the entire settlement is a pending U.S. Supreme Court case. Bayer has argued that federal pesticide labeling law preempts — meaning overrides — state-level failure-to-warn claims. If the Supreme Court agrees when it hears oral arguments in late April 2026, it could invalidate many existing jury verdicts on appeal and make it significantly harder for future plaintiffs to win at trial.
This creates a strategic calculation for both sides. Plaintiffs may prefer a guaranteed settlement payment rather than risk a Supreme Court ruling that wipes out their claims entirely. Bayer, meanwhile, may prefer the certainty of a defined settlement over the possibility — however favorable — that the Supreme Court still leaves some avenues open for litigation.
What Roundup Users Should Do Now
The settlement has not been approved yet, and no claim forms are available at this time. However, if you used Roundup and have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or another cancer, there are steps you can take now to protect your interests:
- Gather your medical records — documentation of your cancer diagnosis, treatment history, and any records linking your condition to chemical exposure will be critical to any future claim
- Document your Roundup use — receipts, photos, employment records, or any other evidence showing when and how often you used the product
- Consult with an attorney — a lawyer experienced in mass tort or class action litigation can advise you on whether to participate in the class settlement or pursue an individual lawsuit
- Understand your opt-out rights — as a proposed Rule 23(b)(3) class action, members will likely have the right to exclude themselves and file their own claims, though a favorable Supreme Court ruling for Bayer could affect those individual cases
Timeline and What Happens Next
- February 17, 2026 — Bayer announces proposed $7.25 billion settlement and files with St. Louis state court
- Coming weeks — Court reviews the proposal and decides whether to grant preliminary approval
- If preliminary approval granted — formal notice sent to potential class members with instructions on how to file claims, object, or opt out
- Late April 2026 — U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in separate Roundup preemption case
- March 4, 2026 — Bayer releases delayed 2025 annual financial results reflecting the settlement
We will update this page as new developments occur. Bookmark this page or check back regularly.
Settlement Summary
| Defendant | Bayer AG / Monsanto Company |
| Product | Roundup weedkiller (glyphosate-based) |
| Proposed Amount | $7.25 billion |
| Current Plaintiffs | Approximately 65,000 |
| Covered Conditions | Non-Hodgkin lymphoma |
| Payment Duration | Up to 21 years |
| Prior Settlements | ~$10 billion (2020) |
| Court | State court — St. Louis, Missouri |
| Status | Proposed — awaiting court approval |
By Steve Levine | Published: February 17, 2026
Legal Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you or a family member used Roundup and have been diagnosed with cancer, consult with a qualified attorney to understand your legal options. OpenClassActions.org is a consumer information site and is not a law firm or settlement administrator.