Roundup Victims Could Receive Up To $200,000

On February 3, Bayer AG reached a $2 billion deal to settle future legal claims that their Roundup weedkiller causes cancer. The German company announced the settlement will cover future claims brought by consumers who were exposed to Roundup and later diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

For nearly three years Bayer struggled with finalizing a settlement of claims that glyphosate in their Roundup weedkiller caused individuals’ cancer diagnoses like non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Over 100,000 claims have been brought against the popular manufacturer over injuries caused by Roundup weedkiller. Bayer acquired the weedkiller company and subsequent litigation when they bought Monsanto Company, the creators of Roundup weedkiller, in 2018 for $63 billion.

Bayer maintains their stance that glyphosate and Roundup are safe for human use. However, the company has faced major losses in U.S. courts over cancer claims brought forward by former users of the weedkiller. In 2019 Bayer paid 80 million in damages for a California homeowner’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnoses which he linked to his prior use of Roundup.

Monsanto first introduced Roundup to the market in 1974 and has since been widely used by farmers, gardeners, landscapers, and property owners. However, increasing studies have come out indicating glyphosate can cause cancer. In 2015 the International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC) determined that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic to humans and likely hazardous to human health.

Even though countries worldwide have banned the use of glyphosate products, glyphosate will remain on the U.S. market. So consumers can find scientific studies on Roundup, Reuters reporters Tom Hals and Tina Bellon indicate that Bayer will seek permission from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide more information on labels.

Benefits for consumers who were exposed to Roundup and develop cancer in the future are also included in the litigation settlement. Under the proposed plan, which still awaits approval by U.S. District Court Judge Vince Chhabria, Bayer will pay $2 billion for compensation, outreach, and diagnostic assistance over a four-year period. Parties can agree to extend the settlement period, as well, and future claimants could receive a max of $200,000 as part of the settlement.

Additionally, anyone diagnosed with Roundup-caused non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma who does not like the compensation offer as part of the class action plan can file a claim in the court system to try to get a better result. Anyone who does not make a claim during the aforementioned four-year period would still have the option of suing in court.