Bayer seeks approval for $7.25 billion Roundup settlement

Bayer is seeking court approval for a proposed $7.25 billion settlement to resolve approximately 65,000 U.S. claims alleging that its Roundup weedkiller causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Judge Timothy Boyer is scheduled to hold a fairness hearing in St. Louis to review the deal and hear objections from plaintiffs’ attorneys.

Under the proposed framework, payouts are expected to vary based on specific criteria. Tier averages currently run from $10,000 to $165,000, while ordinary scored program awards could range from $8,000 to $198,000. Fixed ‘Quick-Pay’ awards for certain tiers are set between $6,000 and $14,500, and a limited-proof award of $150 is available for those who can prove exposure but not the minimum exposure period.

The settlement aims to address both current and future claims, though the total fund must also cover program expenses and legal fees. Bayer has denied all allegations of wrongdoing, maintaining that glyphosate is safe and does not cause cancer. The litigation has been a significant financial burden for Bayer since its 2018 acquisition of Monsanto.