Bayer Proposes $7.25B Roundup Weed Killer Settlement

Individuals exposed to Roundup or other glyphosate-based weed killers before Feb. 17, 2026, may be eligible to submit a claim to receive a cash payment from a proposed class action settlement. Class counsel filed a motion for preliminary approval of the settlement on Feb. 17, 2026.

Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, agreed to pay up to $7.25 billion to settle a class action lawsuit alleging exposure to Roundup and other glyphosate-containing weed killers can cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Individuals have made an estimated 200,000 claims against Bayer, alleging the dangers of the weed killer that first became available for agricultural and consumer use in 1974.

The settlement includes all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands and any other United States territory and military or diplomatic establishment throughout the world.

Who will qualify to file a claim for a Roundup payout?

Class members must meet the following proposed criteria:

• They are a U.S. citizen or non-U.S. citizen living in the United States on Feb. 17, 2026.
• They were exposed to Roundup or other glyphosate-based weed killers in the United States before the date of preliminary approval.
• They had contact with, inhaled, ingested or absorbed Roundup products in the United States before Feb. 17, 2026.
• The exposure occurred because the class member:
• Applied the products themselves
• Purchased or paid for the products or their application
• Participated in, directed or saw the application of the products
• Otherwise had reason to know they were exposed

Subclasses and claimant types

The settlement divides class members into two main groups:

• Subclass 1: Individuals diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma as of Feb. 17, 2026, and who meet the exposure requirements
• Subclass 2: Individuals who meet the exposure requirements but have not been diagnosed with NHL as of Feb. 17, 2026. These individuals can only submit a claim if they are diagnosed in the future.

The settlement categorizes claimants as:

• Occupational claimants: Class members who were exposed to Roundup products for more than 80 hours in an agricultural, industrial, turf or ornamental job and earned more than 50% of their income or more than $15,000 from this job in at least one year
• Residential claimants: Class members who were exposed to Roundup products in a residential capacity or who do not meet the occupational thresholds

The settlement also includes:

• Derivative claimants: Spouses, parents or dependent children of a class member or those with a legal relationship that allows them to sue based on a loved one’s exposure
• Representative claimants: Legal representatives, executors or administrators acting on behalf of deceased or incapacitated exposed persons

Who is excluded from the class?

Certain individuals cannot file a claim:

• Individuals who watched someone else apply Roundup products without knowing they were herbicides
• Individuals who already settled their claim with Monsanto and signed a release
• Individuals whose Roundup injury claims a court previously dismissed
• Individuals with a claim pending in the federal multidistrict litigation in California, known as In re Roundup Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2741, as of Feb. 17, 2026, unless they dismiss their MDL claim and request to join this settlement

How much will settlement payments be?

Program awards

Most class members with an NHL diagnosis can submit a claim to receive a cash payment based on the type of exposure, age at diagnosis and NHL subtype:

• Occupational, under 60, aggressive NHL: $165,000
• Occupational, 60–77, aggressive NHL: $105,000
• Occupational, under 60, indolent NHL: $85,000
• Occupational, 60–77, indolent NHL: $60,000
• Residential, under 60, aggressive NHL: $40,000
• Residential, 60–77, aggressive NHL: $30,000
• Residential, under 60, indolent NHL: $25,000
• Residential, 60–77, indolent NHL: $20,000
• Any, age 78 or older: $10,000

This is the estimated award value for each tier. Actual awards may range from 80% to 120% of the average, depending on individual claim scores.

Quick-Pay awards

Certain class members who filed a lawsuit or signed a tolling agreement before Feb. 13, 2026, can submit a claim to receive a quick-pay cash payment. Quick-pay awards are expedited, fixed payments that are not subject to claim scoring and paid on a first-in, first-out basis:

• Residential, under 60, aggressive NHL: $14,500
• Residential, 60–77, aggressive NHL: $11,000
• Residential, under 60, indolent NHL: $10,500
• Residential, 60–77, indolent NHL: $7,700
• Any, age 78 or older: $6,000

Additional awards

Certain class members can also submit a claim to receive an additional cash payment:

• Extraordinary circumstances fund: For severe situations, such as death before age 78, organ transplant or intensive treatments
• Extraordinary residential exposure fund: For residential claimants with significant exposure on properties over six acres.
• Exigency awards: For claimants facing imminent loss of housing or terminal illness.

Derivative and representative claimant awards

• Derivative claimants: Eligible family members receive 1% of the primary class member’s award, which is deducted from the primary claimant's payment
• Representative claimants: These individuals may submit claims on behalf of deceased or incapacitated class members and receive payment for the benefit of the class member or their estate

Limited proof award

If a claimant cannot prove the minimum exposure time of at least 16 hours or 10 lifetime days but can still prove exposure, they may receive a $150 cash payment.

How to claim a Roundup payment

• Class members must register and submit a claim form either online or via mail to receive a settlement payment.
• Class members diagnosed with NHL before tFeb. 17, 2026, must submit a registration form and a claim package within 180 days of the final approval date.
• Class members diagnosed with NHL after Feb. 17, 2026, must submit a claim package within six years of their diagnosis and before the 16th annual payment date. This deadline may vary in certain states.

Registration and claim package information is coming soon.

Required proof and claim information

Class members must provide supporting documentation with their claim package, which may include:

• Proof of exposure to Roundup products, such as affidavits, photos, receipts, or employment or tax records
• Proof of qualifying NHL diagnosis and date
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or residency, which may include birth certificates, Social Security cards, driver’s licenses, leases or utility bills
• Medical records from a treating physician showing diagnosis and treatment

Occupational class members must provide proof of employment and income for the years exposed.

Class members submitting for an additional award, such as a payment from the ECF or EREF, must submit additional proof.

$7.25 billion Roundup settlement fund

The $7,250,000,000 settlement fund is structured to pay claims over 17 to 21 years with annual payments and a $1 billion security fund to protect against bankruptcy or default.

The fund will include

• Settlement administration costs
• Attorneys’ fees and expenses
• Service awards to class representatives
• Payments to approved claimants

Important dates

• Preliminary approval hearing: Date to be determined
• Fairness hearing: Date to be determined
• Deadline to file a claim: 180 days after final approval or within six years of diagnosis

What happens next?

The court will hold a fairness hearing to decide whether to approve the settlement. If approved, eligible claimants must register and submit claims within the deadlines. The settlement administrator will distribute payments according to the settlement terms. The settlement administrator will post updates and further instructions on the official settlement website.

Sources

1. Official settlement website
2. Settlement agreement