A federal judge overseeing thousands of Roundup-related lawsuits has raised significant concerns about a proposed $7.25 billion settlement intended to resolve current and future claims involving Bayer’s weedkiller. During a hearing in April 2026, U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria, who presides over approximately 4,000 consolidated federal cases in California, questioned whether the agreement can legally bind individuals who have been exposed to Roundup but have not yet developed cancer. The proposed settlement, which received preliminary approval from Missouri Judge Timothy Boyer in March, seeks to address allegations that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, causes non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other cancers. Bayer, which acquired Roundup through its 2018 purchase of Monsanto, continues to maintain that the product is safe despite years of litigation and a previous $10 billion settlement reached in 2020.
Judge Chhabria criticized several aspects of the proposed agreement, including what he described as “oppressive” and “bizarre” opt-out provisions. Under the settlement terms, individuals who have used Roundup would be required to affirmatively opt out this summer or risk being bound by the agreement by default, even if they are currently healthy and have not developed any illness. While Chhabria stopped short of intervening in the Missouri proceedings, he indicated that the settlement raises serious legal questions and could face scrutiny from appellate courts or even the U.S. Supreme Court. The outcome of these proceedings may have significant implications for thousands of current plaintiffs and potentially countless future claimants.
This blog is intended to provide information to the general public and to practitioners about developments that may impact Oregon class actions.
