Key Takeaways
- Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, has faced extensive litigation over claims that its glyphosate-based herbicide, Roundup, causes cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. As of May 2025, Bayer has paid over $11 billion to settle nearly 100,000 lawsuits, reflecting the scale and seriousness of these legal challenges.
- The lawsuits center on allegations that Monsanto failed to adequately warn users about the potential health risks of glyphosate. High-profile jury verdicts and the release of internal company documents, known as the Monsanto Papers, have played a significant role in shaping public and legal scrutiny.
- Beyond Roundup, Monsanto has also settled major lawsuits related to other chemicals, such as PCBs and Agent Orange, highlighting a broader pattern of environmental and health-related litigation. The company continues to pursue legal strategies to manage ongoing and future claims.
Overview of Monsanto Lawsuits
Monsanto, a major agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation, has been at the center of significant legal controversies for decades. The most prominent lawsuits involve claims that its popular herbicide, Roundup, causes cancer. These cases have led to massive settlements and jury verdicts, shaping the legal landscape for product liability and toxic torts in the United States.
Monsanto was acquired by Bayer in 2018, and since then, Bayer has inherited the legal risks and liabilities associated with Monsanto's products. The litigation has not only focused on Roundup but has also included claims related to other chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Agent Orange.
The Roundup Litigation
Background on Glyphosate and Roundup
Roundup is a widely used herbicide whose active ingredient is glyphosate. Glyphosate has been under scrutiny for its potential health effects, particularly its alleged link to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" in 2015. This classification fueled a wave of lawsuits against Monsanto.
Scope and Scale of the Lawsuits
As of May 2025, Bayer has settled nearly 100,000 lawsuits related to Roundup, paying approximately $11 billion to resolve these claims (Lawsuit Information Center). Despite these settlements, new cases continue to emerge, and litigation remains active in various jurisdictions.
The lawsuits generally allege that Monsanto failed to warn users about the potential cancer risks associated with glyphosate exposure. Plaintiffs include agricultural workers, gardeners, and others who claim to have developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after using Roundup.
Notable Verdicts and Settlements
Several high-profile jury verdicts have resulted in substantial damages against Monsanto and Bayer:
- In March 2025, a Georgia jury ordered Bayer to pay nearly $2.1 billion in damages to John Barnes, who developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after using Roundup (CNN).
- In 2019, a California jury awarded $2 billion in punitive damages to a couple who claimed Roundup caused their cancer (El Polaw).
- In the case of Pilliod et al. v. Monsanto Co., attorneys secured a $2 billion verdict, one of the largest personal injury awards in U.S. history (Wisner Baum).
These verdicts have been subject to appeals, and some awards have been reduced by courts. However, they underscore the significant financial exposure Monsanto and Bayer face.
Ongoing Litigation and Legal Strategies
Despite the settlements, litigation continues. In September 2024, the Missouri Court of Appeals upheld a jury verdict in favor of Bayer, marking a rare legal victory for the company (Bayer). Outcomes in these cases can vary significantly, reflecting the complex scientific and legal questions involved.
Bayer has also considered placing its U.S. subsidiary, Monsanto, into bankruptcy if a comprehensive settlement with plaintiffs cannot be reached (Wall Street Journal). This move would be a strategic effort to manage the ongoing financial and legal pressures.
The Monsanto Papers
A significant development in the litigation has been the release of the Monsanto Papers—internal company documents made public during discovery. These documents reveal Monsanto's internal communications and strategies regarding the defense of glyphosate. Plaintiffs have used these papers to argue that Monsanto was aware of potential health risks but failed to adequately warn users (US Right to Know). The Monsanto Papers have increased public scrutiny and influenced jury perceptions in several cases.
Other Major Monsanto Lawsuits
Agent Orange Litigation
Monsanto was one of the manufacturers of Agent Orange, a herbicide used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. In 1979, Vietnam War veterans filed a class action lawsuit alleging that exposure to Agent Orange caused serious health problems. The case resulted in a settlement, but the controversy over Agent Orange's health effects continues (WPLN).
PCB Contamination Lawsuits
Monsanto was a leading producer of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chemicals used in electrical equipment and other applications. PCBs have been linked to environmental and health problems, leading to numerous lawsuits:
- Monsanto agreed to pay up to $550 million in a class action settlement over PCB contamination (PCB Class Action).
- The company settled with the state of Washington for $95 million to resolve claims related to PCB pollution (Washington Attorney General).
- In Ohio, Monsanto reached an $80 million settlement to address PCB contamination claims (Ohio Attorney General).
These settlements reflect Monsanto's broader legal exposure beyond glyphosate.
Legal and Regulatory Implications
Regulatory Status of Glyphosate
Despite the litigation, glyphosate remains approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has stated that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans when used according to label directions (EPA Glyphosate Information). However, regulatory reviews are ongoing, and the legal battles have prompted calls for stricter regulation and labeling requirements.
Impact on Product Liability Law
The Monsanto lawsuits have had a significant impact on product liability law in the United States. They have highlighted the importance of warning labels, corporate transparency, and the role of internal documents in litigation. The large verdicts and settlements have also influenced how companies assess and manage risks associated with their products.
Current Status and Future Outlook
The Roundup litigation is ongoing, with new cases and settlements continuing to emerge. As of May 2025, Bayer has paid over $11 billion to resolve Roundup lawsuits (Sokolove Law). However, not all claims have been settled, and the company faces continued legal and financial uncertainty.
Bayer is actively pursuing legal strategies to manage the litigation, including potential bankruptcy for its U.S. subsidiary. The outcomes of future cases, regulatory decisions, and potential legislative changes will shape the ongoing risks for Bayer and other companies in the agrochemical industry.
Conclusion
The Monsanto lawsuits represent one of the largest and most complex product liability litigations in U.S. history. They involve significant scientific, legal, and regulatory issues, with billions of dollars at stake. The cases have raised important questions about corporate responsibility, product safety, and the role of the legal system in addressing alleged harms from widely used chemicals.
For attorneys and legal professionals seeking in-depth research and analysis on these and related cases, Counsel Stack offers comprehensive legal research tools and resources.
Disclaimer: This guide provides a general overview of the Monsanto lawsuits based on publicly available information as of May 2025. The litigation is ongoing, and many details are based on allegations that may be subject to change. For specific legal advice or the latest updates, consult official court documents and regulatory sources.
