By Ashley Robinson The final approval hearing for Bayer’s proposed $7.25 billion Roundup settlement is now scheduled for September 14, 2026. Judge Timothy Boyer of the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, Missouri, postponed the hearing from August 19 after Bayer’s Monsanto unit and lawyers supporting the agreement jointly requested additional time.
The case is King v. Monsanto, No. 2622-CC00325. The hearing will determine whether the nationwide class settlement should receive final court approval. Until the judge approves the agreement and any appeals are resolved, the settlement is not final and payments cannot begin.
What Does the Proposed Settlement Cover?
Monsanto announced the agreement in February 2026 as a plan to resolve many current and potential future U.S. claims alleging that exposure to Roundup caused non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Bayer acquired Monsanto in 2018 and has faced tens of thousands of lawsuits involving the glyphosate-based weedkiller.
The proposed class generally concerns people exposed to covered Roundup products before February 17, 2026, who meet medical and other requirements described in the settlement documents. It is designed as a long-term claims program rather than a one-time payment to every Roundup user. Some lawsuits, including thousands of cases in separate federal multidistrict litigation, may remain outside the agreement.
How Would the $7.25 Billion Be Paid?
If approved, Monsanto would make declining annual payments for as long as 21 years, with total funding capped at $7.25 billion. Compensation would depend on factors such as diagnosis, age, type and duration of Roundup exposure, and other criteria established by the program.
The agreement does not guarantee the same payment to every claimant. Administrative expenses, court-approved legal fees, and other authorized costs would also affect the money available. Lawyers who helped negotiate the settlement have requested up to $675 million in fees, although the judge may approve a smaller amount.
Why Was the Hearing Postponed?
The delay is intended to give the parties more time to address disputed opt-out requests. Some plaintiffs who previously chose to leave the settlement reportedly want to rejoin after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision favorable to Monsanto in a related Roundup case.
There are also disagreements over whether certain exclusion requests were valid. The proposed agreement permits Bayer to reduce settlement funding for a limited number of opt-outs and may allow the company to withdraw if participation falls below an acceptable level. These issues could affect the settlement’s cost, coverage, and final viability.
How Did the Supreme Court Decision Affect the Case?
On June 25, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled for Monsanto in Monsanto v. Durnell. The Court held that federal pesticide law preempted the label-based state failure-to-warn claim at issue because the Environmental Protection Agency had not required a cancer warning on Roundup’s label.
The decision weakened an important legal theory used in many Roundup cases. However, it did not automatically end every lawsuit. Plaintiffs may pursue claims based on different state laws or legal theories, including design-defect allegations, depending on the facts and controlling law. The decision nevertheless changed the risks facing people deciding whether to remain in the settlement.
Why Are Some Plaintiffs Opposing the Deal?
Several law firms and claimants have objected to the settlement. Critics argue that it may provide insufficient compensation, impose complicated participation rules, limit future legal rights, and give Bayer broad protection from liability. They have also questioned the treatment of future claimants and the requested attorneys’ fees.
Bayer and lawyers supporting the settlement say the program offers a funded and predictable route to compensation without the uncertainty, expense, and delay of individual trials. Bayer continues to deny that Roundup causes cancer and says regulatory and scientific assessments support the safety of glyphosate when used as directed.
What Happens at the September Hearing?
At the September 14 hearing, Judge Boyer is expected to consider whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. The court may review objections, class participation, the claims structure, legal fees, and whether the agreement properly protects current and future class members.
The judge could approve the settlement, reject it, request changes, or postpone a decision. Even approval may be followed by appeals, which could delay the program. People with pending Roundup claims should not assume that they are automatically included or that compensation is guaranteed. They should review notices from the settlement administrator and speak with their own lawyer before making decisions that could release legal rights.