When Did Roundup Lawsuits Start?

Key Takeaways

• The Roundup controversy began in 2015 when the World Health Organization classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
• From 2015-2018, the number of lawsuits exploded as more victims linked their cancer to Roundup, leading to a highly publicized legal struggle.
• Landmark verdicts, like the $289 million award to Dewayne Johnson in 2018, validated victims’ claims and increased pressure on Bayer.
• In 2020, Bayer announced it set aside $10.9 billion to settle current and future claims, but many cases are still pending, and new claims continue to emerge as the fight for justice goes on.

Dealing with a cancer diagnosis is an incredibly challenging experience, especially when you suspect that a product you trusted might be the cause. Thousands of people who used Roundup are facing this reality today, having been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other cancers after using the weed killer’s glyphosate-based formula.

In the years since this crisis surfaced, many victims have raised their voices and demanded accountability through lawsuits against the makers of Roundup, paving the way for others to come forward. Let’s explore when and why these legal battles began to honor the journey of those who stood up for their health and rights.

We can trace the Roundup controversy all the way back to 2015, when…the World Health Organization classified glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”

2015: Roundup Raises Concerns

For almost a decade, legal battles related to Roundup have spread like wildfire, drawing intense public scrutiny to the health risks associated with glyphosate and the responsibility corporations like Bayer have to protect their customers. 

We can trace the Roundup controversy all the way back to 2015, when the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization (WHO), classified glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”

Legal action against Monsanto, the original manufacturer of Roundup, was swift. The first of many lawsuits were filed in 2015, mostly by people suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Understandably, their claims that prolonged exposure to Roundup–the most popular herbicide on the market–caused their cancer grabbed the world’s attention. The stage was set for a long, highly publicized legal battle. 

2015-2018: The Roundup Legal Battle Heats Up

From 2015 to 2018, the number of Roundup lawsuits exploded as more victims became aware of reports linking glyphosate to cancer. Researchers began looking closer at Roundup’s formula and questioning its safety. In courtrooms, plaintiffs and scientists alike gave testimony that highlighted the possible link between glyphosate and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. 

Those legal arguments were supported by the IARC’s original findings, but Monsanto and the U.S. EPA maintained glyphosate was safe when used as directed. Conflicting scientific opinions like this created a challenge for judges and juries, forcing them to navigate through complex and often contradictory evidence to reach a verdict. 

As a result, the road to justice was often long and difficult for many Roundup cancer victims. But a windfall of key victories was just around the corner to bring hope to those still fighting for what’s right. 

These landmark cases not only validated victims’ claims; it also encouraged more people to come forward, leading to a surge in new lawsuits and even more pressure on Bayer to pay victims what they’re owed.

2018-2019: Hope for Roundup Victims

By June of 2018, Bayer AG had acquired Monsanto in an all-cash transaction. The legal landscape took a dramatic turn almost immediately with a series of landmark victories for Roundup victims. 

The most notable case involved Dewayne Johnson, a groundskeeper who developed terminal non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which he attributed to using Roundup on the job. In August 2018, a San Francisco jury awarded Johnson $289 million in damages, including punitive damages. Although the award was later reduced to $78 million on appeal, the verdict was a huge blow to Monsanto and a major victory for victims. 

After that, the dominoes continued to fall. Several other high-profile verdicts were delivered, including one in May. A California jury awarded over $2 billion to Alva and Alberta Pilliod, who both developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after using Roundup for years. This award was later reduced to $87 million, but the win itself was proof that juries recognized a clear link between Roundup glyphosate and cancer. 

Most importantly, it signaled that the courts were willing to hold Roundup makers accountable for their negligence. These landmark cases not only validated victims’ claims; it also encouraged more people to come forward, leading to a surge in new lawsuits and even more pressure on Bayer to pay victims what they’re owed.

2020-Present: Roundup Settlements Continue 

As the volume of lawsuits continued to rise, the controversy evolved into a complex mass tort proceeding. Roundup claims ballooned into the tens of thousands, and Bayer was forced to act. 

For many, this battle is just getting started. Every claim, new and old, represents a person, a family, and a story of resilience. Your voice is a vital part of this ongoing fight. Though the journey might be difficult, remember that you won’t be doing this alone.

In an effort to save the company’s reputation and bottom line, they used settlement strategies aimed at resolving a large portion of the lawsuits all at once. In June 2020, the company announced a landmark settlement agreement of up to $10.9 billion to resolve approximately 100,000 current and future claims. 

However, the settlement process has been anything but straightforward. Negotiations have been tricky. For many, Bayer’s settlement proposal simply isn’t enough to make up the harm they’ve caused. It doesn’t help that the company is now lobbying lawmakers to pass bills shielding it and other pesticide manufacturers from “failure to warn” claims if a product is found to be carcinogenic. 

Despite these hurdles, Bayer has continued to negotiate and settle cases individually, aiming to bring closure to the ongoing litigation.

One of the most significant recent verdicts came in January 2024, when a Pennsylvania man was awarded $2.25 billion after claiming that long-term use of Roundup caused his non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The Roundup Lawsuit Landscape Today

As of 2024, the Roundup lawsuit landscape is still challenging. While Bayer has successfully settled a significant number of cases, thousands of lawsuits are still pending in courts across the United States and new claims are regularly filed. The scientific debate over glyphosate’s safety also continues, with ongoing studies and regulatory reviews keeping the issue in the public eye.

For many, this battle is just getting started. Every claim, new and old, represents a person, a family, and a story of resilience. Your voice is a vital part of this ongoing fight. Though the journey might be difficult, remember that you won’t be doing this alone. The bravery of those who stood up first will carry you forward, and we’ll stand next to you every step of the way as you tell your story. 
Join the Many for a no-cost, no-obligation case review. We’ll help you determine if you may qualify for a Roundup settlement. If you decide to move forward, we’ll connect you with our trusted partner law firms who have extensive experience in Roundup claims. They’ll handle your case with care and will only bill you for legal fees if you’re awarded compensation.

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