Bayer Reaches $7.25B Settlement Over Roundup Cancer Lawsuits

The deal aims to resolve tens of thousands of current and future claims against the company.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Bayer has agreed to a $7.25 billion nationwide settlement to resolve approximately 65,000 lawsuits claiming that its Roundup weedkiller caused cancer. The proposed settlement would establish a long-term claims program funded by capped annual payments over up to 21 years. The deal requires court approval and comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear a key appeal from Bayer.

Why it matters

This settlement represents a major step for Bayer in tackling the legal risks tied to Roundup, which the company acquired as part of its $63 billion purchase of Monsanto in 2018. The company has already paid out around $10 billion to settle previous Roundup lawsuits, but this new deal aims to resolve the bulk of the remaining claims and potential future cases.

The details

Under the proposed settlement, Bayer would make capped annual payments over up to 21 years to fund the claims program. The deal does not require Bayer to admit liability or wrongdoing, and allows the company to back out if too many plaintiffs decline to participate. Payouts to individuals would be determined by a tiered system based on factors like exposure, age at diagnosis, and cancer type, with potential awards of up to $198,000 or more.

  • The proposed settlement was filed on February 17, 2026 in state court in St. Louis, Missouri.
  • The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in a key Bayer appeal at the end of April 2026.

The players

Bayer

A German multinational pharmaceutical and life sciences company that acquired Monsanto, the maker of Roundup, in 2018.

Monsanto

An American agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology company that produced the Roundup weedkiller, which is at the center of the cancer lawsuits against Bayer.

Motley Rice

A law firm that negotiated the proposed settlement on behalf of the plaintiffs.

Seeger Weiss

A law firm that negotiated the proposed settlement on behalf of the plaintiffs.

Bill Anderson

The CEO of Bayer.

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What they’re saying

“Bayer's move will significantly reduce the legal risks. Although the settlement is very costly, it is to be welcomed as it covers future claims.”

— Ingo Speich, Bayer investor at Deka Investment (milawyersweekly.com)

“The settlement buys Bayer time, but without a win in the Supreme Court, a new wave of lawsuits could roll over Bayer in a few years.”

— Markus Manns, Portfolio manager at Bayer shareholder Union Investment (milawyersweekly.com)

“Payouts will be determined by a tiered system that considers exposure, age at diagnosis and cancer type. Individuals could receive up to $198,000 or more.”

— Eric Holland, Attorney (milawyersweekly.com)

What’s next

The proposed settlement requires court approval and a minimum number of plaintiffs to opt in. Bayer also said the Supreme Court case, scheduled for oral arguments at the end of April 2026, remains essential to resolving the Roundup litigation.

The takeaway

This settlement represents a major step for Bayer in addressing the significant legal risks it has faced over the Roundup weedkiller. While the $7.25 billion price tag is substantial, it could help the company avoid an even larger financial burden from future lawsuits if the Supreme Court rules in its favor.