Corporate Counsel Daily, Roundup™ class action settlement gets preliminary approval, (Mar 5, 2026)

By WK Editorial Staff

Under the proposal, Monsanto would fund the class through declining capped annual payments for up to 21 years, totaling up to $7.25 billion.

A Missouri state court judge has granted preliminary approval of a proposed class action settlement intended to resolve current and future claims alleging that Roundup caused non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Bayer announced in a news release. The order was issued by the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis following a motion submitted by leading plaintiffs’ law firms representing the proposed class (Bayer AG News Release (Mar. 4, 2026)).

According to the announcement, the settlement is designed to address both existing claims and potential future claims related to the herbicide. Bill Dodero, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Bayer, said the company was pleased with the court’s decision and emphasized that the settlement plan is long-term and well-financed. He stated that Bayer remains confident that the structure of the settlement, supported by major plaintiffs’ firms, should merit final approval.

Next steps. With preliminary approval in place, the next stage of the process begins with official notification to potential class members. A 90 day period during which class members may opt out or submit objections runs through June 4. At the end of that period, the court is scheduled to hold a fairness hearing on July 9. The judge will then determine whether to grant final approval, subject to any appeals. While the settlement is under review, all lawsuits filed in Missouri by class members are stayed, except for those brought by individuals who choose to opt out.

Supreme Court case. The press release notes that the settlement follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to take up the Durnell case. The High Court agreed to review whether state-law failure to warn claims are preempted by federal law. The settlement does not affect the Supreme Court case, which remains significant for addressing substantial outstanding damage awards currently under appeal and for resolving what the company describes as regulatory uncertainty that could affect agricultural innovation.

Dodero said the proposed class settlement and the Supreme Court’s review in Durnell represent two independent but complementary steps in the company’s broader strategy to manage and contain ongoing Roundup litigation.

AllNews: IndustryNews ChemicalNews GCNNews