Millions of Americans have used Roundup weed killer — and thousands have filed lawsuits claiming its active ingredient, glyphosate, caused their cancer. If you or a loved one developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after Roundup exposure, you may be entitled to significant compensation. This guide explains the Roundup lawsuits, settlement values, and how to file a claim in 2026.
What Is Roundup?
Roundup is the world's most widely used herbicide, manufactured by Monsanto (acquired by Bayer in 2018). Its active ingredient is glyphosate, a chemical that kills weeds by blocking a plant enzyme. Roundup has been used since 1974 by farmers, landscapers, gardeners, and homeowners. It is sold in stores across the United States and used on farms, golf courses, schools, parks, and residential lawns.
Despite its popularity, glyphosate has become one of the most controversial chemicals in the world. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A). That finding — combined with internal documents suggesting Monsanto knew about risks — triggered tens of thousands of lawsuits.
The Roundup Lawsuits: What Happened
The first major Roundup trial ended in 2018, when a California jury awarded groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson $289 million (later reduced to $78 million) after finding that Roundup caused his non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Two more landmark verdicts followed in 2019 — $2.055 billion (later reduced) and $80 million — establishing a pattern of jury findings against Monsanto/Bayer.
As of 2026, more than 165,000 Roundup claims have been filed in the United States. Bayer has paid over $11 billion in settlements and reserves, resolving the majority of cases. However, new claims continue to be filed, and thousands of cases remain pending in state courts and in the federal multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 2741) in California. Bayer has also announced plans to reformulate residential Roundup products to remove glyphosate, while continuing to sell glyphosate-based products for agricultural use.
Who Can File a Roundup Lawsuit?
You may have a valid Roundup claim if you meet these criteria:
- Exposure: You used Roundup regularly — as a farmer, farmworker, landscaper, gardener, groundskeeper, or homeowner — for months or years. Occasional, one-time use is generally not enough.
- Diagnosis: You were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) or a related blood cancer, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), mantle cell lymphoma, or multiple myeloma.
- Timing: Your diagnosis came after sustained Roundup exposure, typically with a latency period of at least one to two years.
- No disqualifying cause: You do not have another clear cause for the lymphoma (although other risk factors do not automatically disqualify you).
Family members of someone who died from NHL after Roundup exposure may file a wrongful death claim. Farmworkers and landscapers — who often had the heaviest, most prolonged exposure — represent a large share of claimants.
What Is Glyphosate and Why Is It Controversial?
Glyphosate works by inhibiting the EPSP synthase enzyme, which plants need to grow. Monsanto long argued that because humans do not have this enzyme, glyphosate is safe for people. Critics counter that glyphosate can still harm human cells through other mechanisms, including oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and gut microbiome damage.
The scientific debate continues. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has maintained that glyphosate is "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans" at typical exposure levels, while the IARC and numerous independent researchers disagree. Courts have generally allowed juries to hear the scientific evidence and decide. Internal Monsanto documents released during litigation — sometimes called the "Monsanto Papers" — showed company efforts to influence regulators and ghostwrite favorable studies, which juries found damaging to Bayer's credibility.
Compensation: What Can You Recover?
Roundup lawsuit compensation typically includes:
- Medical expenses: Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplants, hospital stays, medications, and ongoing monitoring.
- Lost wages: Income lost during treatment and recovery, plus reduced future earning capacity if you cannot return to your prior work.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Loss of consortium: Compensation for a spouse's loss of companionship and support.
- Punitive damages: Awarded in some trial verdicts where juries found Monsanto acted with malice or reckless disregard. Punitive damages are rare in settlements but have been substantial in trials.
- Wrongful death damages: Funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship for surviving family members.
Roundup Settlement Values
Settlement amounts vary widely based on exposure history, age, severity of illness, and strength of evidence. General ranges from resolved cases:
- Typical settlements: $50,000 to $250,000 for most claimants in the mass settlement program.
- Severe cases: $250,000 to $500,000+ for younger claimants, heavy occupational exposure, or advanced-stage disease.
- Trial verdicts: Individual trial verdicts have ranged from millions to over $2 billion (usually reduced on appeal). Trials are high-risk, high-reward — most claimants settle.
Factors that increase settlement value include: long-term occupational exposure (years of regular use), young age at diagnosis, aggressive or advanced-stage lymphoma, extensive medical treatment, significant lost income, and strong documentation (purchase records, employment records, medical records). Factors that reduce value include: brief or infrequent exposure, older age, mild disease, and weak documentation.
Roundup Lawsuit vs. Class Action vs. MDL
Individual lawsuit: Your case is filed individually. You control settlement decisions. Most Roundup cases proceed this way.
Multidistrict litigation (MDL): Federal Roundup cases are consolidated in MDL No. 2741 (Northern District of California) for pretrial proceedings — shared discovery, expert testimony, and bellwether trials. Your case remains individual; the MDL simply coordinates common issues. This is the most common path for federal claims.
Class action: Roundup cancer claims are generally not handled as class actions, because each person's exposure and illness differ too much. Be cautious of anyone offering a "Roundup class action" for cancer claims — mass tort / MDL is the correct structure.
How to File a Roundup Claim (7 Steps)
- Get a free case evaluation. Contact a Roundup lawyer for a free review. Bring your diagnosis details and exposure history.
- Gather evidence. Collect medical records (diagnosis, pathology, treatment), proof of Roundup use (receipts, purchase records, employment records, photos of containers), and a timeline of your exposure.
- Your lawyer investigates. The firm reviews your records, consults medical experts, and determines whether your case meets the criteria.
- File the lawsuit. Your lawyer files in state court or in the federal MDL. There is no upfront cost to you.
- Discovery. Both sides exchange documents and take depositions. This phase can take months.
- Settlement negotiations or trial. Most cases settle. If Bayer does not offer fair compensation, your case may proceed to trial.
- Receive compensation. Settlement funds are distributed after attorney fees, costs, and any medical liens are resolved.
Statute of Limitations: Do Not Wait
Every state has a deadline for filing a Roundup lawsuit — typically 1 to 6 years from the date of diagnosis (or from when you reasonably discovered the connection between Roundup and your illness). Some states apply a "discovery rule" that starts the clock when you learned — or should have learned — that Roundup may have caused your cancer. Missing the deadline means losing your right to compensation permanently. Because the deadline depends on your state and diagnosis date, contact a lawyer as soon as possible to determine your specific deadline.
How Much Does a Roundup Lawyer Cost?
Roundup lawyers work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront. The typical fee is 33% to 40% of your settlement or verdict, plus case costs (filing fees, expert witnesses, medical record retrieval). If you do not recover compensation, you owe no attorney fees. Always confirm the fee agreement in writing before signing.
How to Choose the Right Roundup Lawyer
- Mass tort experience: Choose a firm with a track record in Roundup / glyphosate litigation specifically — not just general personal injury.
- MDL participation: Firms active in the federal MDL have access to shared discovery and bellwether trial insights.
- No upfront fees: Reputable Roundup lawyers never charge upfront.
- Clear communication: Your lawyer should explain the process, timeline, and realistic value range for your case.
- Medical expertise: The firm should have medical experts who can connect your NHL diagnosis to glyphosate exposure.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting too long and missing the statute of limitations.
- Signing a settlement release without legal advice — releases are final.
- Throwing away evidence — keep Roundup containers, receipts, and employment records.
- Posting about your case on social media — defense lawyers monitor public posts.
- Assuming you are in a class action — Roundup cancer claims are individual / MDL cases.
- Trusting settlement estimates from ads — every case is valued individually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roundup still sold? Yes, but Bayer has reformulated residential Roundup products to replace glyphosate with other active ingredients. Agricultural Roundup still contains glyphosate. The reformulation does not affect existing lawsuits.
Does the EPA's position mean I cannot sue? No. Courts have repeatedly allowed Roundup lawsuits to proceed despite the EPA's position, and juries have found in favor of plaintiffs.
Can I file if I only used Roundup at home? Possibly — home gardeners have filed successful claims, but heavy occupational exposure generally produces stronger cases. A lawyer can evaluate your specific exposure history.
How long does a Roundup case take? Settlements typically resolve within 12 to 24 months of filing; trials can take longer. Timelines vary by court and case volume.
Is my settlement taxable? Generally, compensation for physical injuries is not taxable under federal law (IRC §104(a)(2)), but punitive damages and interest may be. Consult a tax professional.
The Bottom Line
If you developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after regular Roundup exposure, you may have a strong claim for significant compensation. Bayer has already paid billions to resolve Roundup cases, and new claims continue to be filed in 2026. Do not wait — check your statute of limitations, gather your records, and get a free case evaluation from an experienced Roundup lawyer. With a contingency fee, there is no cost to find out whether you qualify.
Disclaimer: Informational only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state.
