What's happening with Roundup?

The saga of Bayer and its controversial weedkiller, Roundup, continues to unfold as the company navigates a complex web of lawsuits, settlements, and legislative maneuvers. Despite a $10 billion settlement in 2020, Bayer is once again pushing for resolution as new lawsuits emerge and plaintiffs secure significant trial victories. This newsletter delves into the latest developments in Bayer’s legal journey, exploring the implications for the company, plaintiffs, and the broader legal landscape.

1. A Renewed Push for Settlement Amid Mounting Pressure

Bayer is reportedly making another attempt to resolve some Roundup lawsuits through a new settlement. This move comes as no surprise, given the company’s history of legal challenges. In 2020, Bayer agreed to a $10 billion settlement to address thousands of claims alleging that Roundup causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, the settlement did not close the door on future litigation, and new lawsuits have continued to flood in. Notably, Missouri state court—where thousands of cases are pending—has become a focal point for Bayer’s latest settlement efforts.

The pressure on Bayer intensified after the company lost two appeals in 2025 to overturn substantial verdicts from 2023. One appeal involved a staggering $611 million award to a group of plaintiffs, while the other upheld a $175 million verdict for a single plaintiff. These losses underscore the ongoing risk Bayer faces in courtrooms across the country, where juries have increasingly sided with plaintiffs.

2. Legislative Shields: A State-by-State Battle

In a parallel effort to limit its legal liability, Bayer has found allies in state legislatures. Georgia and North Dakota have recently passed laws that could significantly shield Bayer from the types of claims at the heart of many Roundup lawsuits. These laws, enacted in 2025, focus on pesticide labeling and aim to prevent plaintiffs from pursuing failure-to-warn claims if manufacturers comply with federal regulations. Similar bills are pending in other states, though not all have gained traction—Iowa’s bill, for instance, passed the Senate in March 2025 but appears stalled in the House.

The legislative strategy is a calculated move by Bayer to create a patchwork of legal protections across the country. If successful, these laws could preempt future lawsuits and potentially weaken existing claims that rely on state labeling laws.

3. The Supreme Court Gambit: Federal Preemption in Focus

Bayer’s legal strategy took a bold turn in April 2025 when the company filed a petition to send a Roundup case to the U.S. Supreme Court. At the core of this petition is the issue of federal preemption—a legal doctrine that could determine whether state labeling laws can be used to hold Bayer accountable. Courts have been divided on this issue, making the Supreme Court’s potential involvement a game-changer.

If the Supreme Court sides with Bayer, it could effectively dismantle many active Roundup lawsuits that hinge on state labeling claims. This would be a significant victory for the company, potentially reducing its legal exposure and setting a precedent for future cases.

4. A Record-Breaking Verdict: The Human Cost of Roundup

The human toll of the Roundup controversy was starkly illustrated in March 2025 when a Georgia jury awarded $2.1 billion to John Barnes, a plaintiff who claimed he developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after two decades of using Roundup. This verdict—one of the largest ever in a Roundup case—serves as a powerful reminder of the personal stories behind the legal battles.

Barnes’ case is emblematic of the broader litigation, where plaintiffs argue that Bayer failed to adequately warn users about the risks associated with Roundup. The size of the award also reflects the jury’s willingness to impose punitive damages, signaling a growing frustration with Bayer’s handling of the issue.

5. What Lies Ahead: A Precarious Path for Bayer

As Bayer navigates this multifaceted legal landscape, the company faces a precarious path. On one hand, its legislative and settlement efforts could provide much-needed relief. On the other, the risk of further billion-dollar verdicts looms large. The outcome of the Supreme Court petition, in particular, could tip the scales in either direction.

For now, Bayer’s strategy appears to be one of containment—seeking to limit its exposure through settlements and legal shields while bracing for the next wave of litigation. Whether this approach will succeed remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Roundup saga is far from over.

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