How Long Does it Take to Settle a Roundup Lawsuit?

Key Takeaways

• The timeline for settling a Roundup lawsuit is highly variable and can range from a few months to several years.
  
• Settlement discussions can begin at any point, potentially shortening the process significantly, especially after the discovery phase or preliminary court rulings.
  
• Mass tort cases can streamline the process through bellwether trials, but might still take years due to the volume of cases. Individual lawsuits can move faster but vary based on the court’s caseload and case specifics.
  
• The willingness of both parties to negotiate and the expertise of their legal teams can either speed up or prolong the settlement process.
  
• Appeals after a trial verdict or settlement agreement can significantly extend the timeline, often taking several years to resolve.

Are you or a loved one considering a Roundup lawsuit? Thousands of victims are standing up against Bayer, the pharmaceutical giant that acquired Monsanto in 2018, and demanding compensation for the harm caused by its glyphosate-based products. It’s a noble and necessary fight that will help protect future generations from corporate negligence–but how long will it take? Is it worth your time and effort?

The short answer is: yes. You deserve justice, whatever it takes. We’re here to help guide you through the Roundup lawsuit process so you’ll have a better understanding of how long it may take, starting with filing a claim all the way to a potential trial or settlement.

How Long Will It Take? 

Truthfully, there are just too many variables at play in a Roundup lawsuit to confidently predict how long yours will last. For some, a resolution comes sooner rather than later–and sometimes that isn’t soon enough. 

For example, Dewayne Johnson, the first victim to take Monsanto to trial, began his journey to justice in 2016. Already gravely ill by that time, he shared how regularly spraying Roundup at his job as a school groundskeeper led to his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis. 

In general, you can expect a Roundup lawsuit to last from a few months to a few years. Either party can begin settlement discussions at any point, which could shorten the entire process significantly.

His case was fast tracked because his home state of California has laws in place that fast track cases involving dying patients. A verdict was reached in 2018, which Monsanto immediately disputed. The case was tied up in appeals until 2021. 

In general, you can expect a Roundup lawsuit to last from a few months to a few years. Either party can begin settlement discussions at any point, which could shorten the entire process significantly. These discussions often become more serious and focused after the discovery phase, or if the court has issued any preliminary rulings that hint at the potential outcome of a trial. 

The Settlement Process in Roundup Lawsuits

The settlement process for Roundup lawsuits begins with filing a claim against Bayer Monsanto, alleging harm due to exposure to its glyphosate-based products. For many, this means drawing a link between their non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis and Roundup weed killer.

From here, every person’s journey varies greatly in duration and complexity. After filing, the pre-trial discovery phase begins. During this critical period, your legal team will work on gathering evidence to build your case. Think scientific research, expert analysis, and personal medical records. All of this can be used to substantiate the claim of harm caused by Roundup. At the same time, Bayer’s legal team will be working on their own discovery and gathering evidence to defend the company’s interests.

Reasons for Trial vs. Out-of-Court Settlement

Deciding whether to proceed to trial or settle out of court is a pivotal part of Roundup lawsuits. For many, the decision hinges on the strength of evidence linking Roundup to their illness or injury.

Victims who have plenty of strong, supporting evidence sometimes decide to push for a trial, hoping a jury verdict will lead to higher compensation. A trial is also very public, often drawing widespread attention to the case and Bayer’s negligent role in harming consumers. This can help influence public opinion and future legal actions.

On the other hand, we can never predict a trial outcome. The uncertainty, coupled with the financial and emotional toll of a lengthy legal battle, are often enough to convince both parties to seriously consider out-of-court settlements. In these cases, Bayer has a bit more control over the public narrative and financial impact to the company.

Negotiation and Mediation/Arbitration in Settlement Discussions

Negotiations are at the heart of the settlement process in Roundup lawsuits. These negotiations can be lengthy and involve multiple phases, with each party presenting their evidence and arguments to support their claims or defenses. 

If direct negotiations stall … mediation can often lead to a resolution both parties can agree on, without the need for a trial.

If you find yourself in settlement talks, the goal will be to agree on a mutually acceptable compensation amount that reflects the damages you’ve endured while considering the defendant’s perspective and limitations.

If direct negotiations stall and you aren’t able to reach an agreement, your case may go through mediation or arbitration to settle things. Mediation involves a neutral third party who facilitates discussions between the plaintiff and defendant, helping them explore settlement options in a non-adversarial setting. This approach can often lead to a resolution both parties can agree on, without the need for a trial.

Arbitration, in contrast, is a more formal process where an independent arbitrator hears the arguments from both sides and then makes a binding decision on the settlement. This method offers a structured resolution process, but with less public exposure and potentially faster resolution times than a traditional court trial.

Factors Influencing the Timeline of Settling a Roundup Lawsuit

Volume of Cases: Mass Torts vs. Individual Lawsuits

The time required to settle a Roundup lawsuit is heavily influenced by whether the case is part of a mass tort or an individual lawsuit. 

Mass torts consolidate thousands of similar lawsuits to streamline the legal process. This consolidation allows for the use of bellwether trials, which are early trial cases that help both parties gauge how juries may react to the evidence and testimonies presented. These trials can lead to global settlement discussions that resolve a large volume of cases all at once. While this approach can speed up the settlement process, it might still take years given the complexity and volume of the cases involved.

Individual lawsuits, on the other hand, can move quickly through the courts. However, they depend heavily on the specific court’s caseload and the unique aspects of each case. That means settlement timelines vary quite a bit, with some cases resolved swiftly and others dragging out for much longer.

Evidence Examination Process

The meticulous examination of scientific evidence, expert testimonies, and medical records is one of the most important aspects of the Roundup lawsuit process and crucial in determining the outcome.With that in mind, you won’t be surprised to hear that this phase is particularly time-consuming. 

You and the defendant may both require additional studies or expert analyses to support your claims, which can lengthen legal proceedings. The depth and complexity of the evidence examination process directly impacts the duration of the lawsuit, often extending the timeline for reaching a settlement.

Negotiation Dynamics

The negotiation phase also influences how long it takes to settle a Roundup lawsuit. The parties’ willingness to reach a compromise, the expertise and negotiation skills of the legal teams involved, and the financial resources at each party’s disposal all play significant roles. 

Settlement negotiations can be lengthy, especially if either party adopts a hardline stance, hoping to secure a more favorable outcome. This phase can significantly extend the lawsuit’s timeline, depending on how quickly both sides can come to an agreement.

Take heart that you won’t be on this journey alone. Not only will your legal team be by your side, but you’ll have the strength of the thousands of other victims who came before to lift you up.

Impact of Potential Appeals

You should also consider the possibility of appeals, which can prolong the settlement process of Roundup lawsuits. After a trial verdict or settlement agreement, either party can choose to appeal the decision in an attempt to overturn or modify the outcome. 

The appeals process can be incredibly time consuming, often taking several years to resolve. This not only delays the final settlement, but it means it will be longer before you receive any compensation. 

The settlement process of Roundup lawsuits is a complex dance of legal strategy, evidence evaluation, and complex negotiations. As you begin, you’ll have to make important decisions about going to trial or settling out of court. It may help to consider the evidence you have at your disposal, how important spreading public awareness is to you, and how much time, money and effort will be required of you. 

Ultimately, the path you take will be unique to you and can prove to be a significant time investment. But take heart that you won’t be on this journey alone. Not only will your legal team be by your side, but you’ll have the strength of the thousands of other victims who came before to lift you up. Together, we can hold Roundup makers accountable for the harm they’ve caused.

Frequently Asked Questions