7 Jun 2018
Turning point
Bayer completes its purchase of Monsanto
Bayer said it had closed its acquisition of Monsanto, paying Monsanto shareholders 128 dollars a share.
Court case
How the Bayer and Monsanto Roundup litigation unfolded
After Bayer bought Monsanto in 2018, juries in California returned large verdicts for plaintiffs who alleged that the weedkiller Roundup caused non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which Bayer denies. Bayer announced settlements of up to 10.9 billion dollars in 2020 and kept arguing that federal pesticide law preempts the claims. In June 2026 the Supreme Court held in Monsanto v. Durnell that federal law preempts label-based failure-to-warn claims, and a 7.25 billion dollar class settlement for current and future claims awaits final approval in Missouri.
7 June 2018 to today · 27 dated events · 25 sources
Where it stands now · as of 1 November 2026
The Supreme Court held on 25 June 2026 that FIFRA preempts label-based failure-to-warn claims over Roundup. Monsanto's proposed 7.25 billion dollar class settlement awaited a final approval ruling from Judge Timothy Boyer after a 14 September 2026 hearing, and no ruling was found as of 1 November 2026.
In 30 seconds: the turning points
- 7 Jun 2018 Bayer completes its purchase of Monsanto
- 10 Aug 2018 First Roundup trial ends in a 289 million dollar verdict
- 27 Mar 2019 Federal jury returns 80 million dollar Hardeman verdict
- 13 May 2019 Oakland jury awards more than 2 billion dollars in Pilliod
- 24 Jun 2020 Bayer announces settlements worth up to 10.9 billion dollars
- 14 May 2021 Ninth Circuit affirms Hardeman and rejects preemption
Stage
1. Filed
2. Trials
3. Appeals
4. Settlement
5. Supreme Court review
6. Class settlement approval
7. Final
Timeline of events
Overview · 7 Jun 2018 to 14 Sep 2026 · click a dot to jump
2018
10 Aug 2018
Turning point
First Roundup trial ends in a 289 million dollar verdict
In Johnson v. Monsanto, a San Francisco Superior Court jury awarded 289 million dollars, including 250 million dollars in punitive damages, in the first case by a cancer patient against Monsanto to reach trial, the AP reported. Monsanto said it would appeal.
2019
27 Mar 2019
Turning point
Federal jury returns 80 million dollar Hardeman verdict
In Hardeman v. Monsanto, the first of the consolidated federal cases before Judge Vince Chhabria to go to trial, a federal jury awarded 80 million dollars, ABC7 News reported. Bayer said it was disappointed and would appeal. The punitive portion of 75 million dollars was later reduced to 20 million dollars, according to the Ninth Circuit.
$80 million jury award🇺🇸 San Francisco, California
ABC7 News (KGO-TV)US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
ABC7 News (KGO-TV)US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit13 May 2019
Turning point
Oakland jury awards more than 2 billion dollars in Pilliod
An Oakland jury awarded a combined 2.05 billion dollars to two plaintiffs in Pilliod v. Monsanto, the AP reported, including 1 billion dollars in punitive damages for each plaintiff. The trial judge later cut the judgments to about 56 million and 30.7 million dollars, which the plaintiffs accepted.
$2.05 billion jury award🇺🇸 Oakland, California
PBS NewsHour (Associated Press)California Court of Appeal, First Appellate Dist
PBS NewsHour (Associated Press)California Court of Appeal, First Appellate Dist· · · 13 months later
2020
24 Jun 2020
Turning point
Bayer announces settlements worth up to 10.9 billion dollars
Bayer said it had agreed to pay 8.8 to 9.6 billion dollars to resolve current Roundup claims and 1.25 billion dollars for a class to handle future claims, about 10.1 to 10.9 billion dollars in total. It said the deals would close about 75 percent of the current litigation, involving roughly 125,000 filed and unfiled claims and contained no admission of liability or wrongdoing. The Johnson, Hardeman and Pilliod cases were excluded and continued on appeal.
“the right action at the right time for Bayer to bring a long period of uncertainty to an end”Werner Baumann, Bayer CEO, Bayer
20 Jul 2020
California appeals court upholds Johnson liability and orders reductions
The California Court of Appeal held that Monsanto had not shown federal law preempted the failure-to-warn claims and upheld liability, but ruled that the awards of future noneconomic damages and punitive damages must be reduced.
“the jury's awards of future noneconomic damages and punitive damages must be reduced.”California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District
2021
14 May 2021
Turning point
Ninth Circuit affirms Hardeman and rejects preemption
Over a partial dissent on damages, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the Hardeman judgment, holding that the failure-to-warn claims were neither expressly nor impliedly preempted by FIFRA, the federal pesticide law. It found the 75 million dollar punitive award grossly excessive but upheld the reduced 20 million dollars as constitutional.
27 May 2021
Bayer withdraws from the national class process for future claims
Bayer said it decided on 27 May 2021 to withdraw from the national class process for future claims and turned to other measures.
29 Jul 2021
Bayer sets aside 4.5 billion dollars more and plans to replace residential glyphosate
Bayer booked an additional gross provision of 4.5 billion dollars for a scenario in which the Supreme Court did not rule in its favour, and said glyphosate products in the US residential lawn and garden market would be replaced with other active ingredients starting in 2023.
“This move is being made exclusively to manage litigation risk and not because of any safety concerns.”Bayer, Bayer
9 Aug 2021
California appeals court affirms Pilliod judgments
The Court of Appeal affirmed the reduced Pilliod judgments and rejected Monsanto's argument that FIFRA preempted the claims.
16 Aug 2021
Monsanto asks the Supreme Court to review Hardeman
Monsanto filed a petition for certiorari in Monsanto v. Hardeman. The Court invited the Solicitor General to file a brief on 13 December 2021, and the United States filed one on 10 May 2022.
2022
21 Jun 2022
Turning point
Supreme Court declines to hear Hardeman
The Supreme Court denied Monsanto's petition in Monsanto v. Hardeman, leaving the Ninth Circuit's ruling in place.
· · · 19 months later
2024
26 Jan 2024
Philadelphia jury returns 2.25 billion dollar verdict
A Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas jury returned a Roundup verdict of 2.25 billion dollars, including 2 billion dollars in punitive damages, Reuters reported. Bayer said it disagreed with the verdict and would appeal. The AP later described it as the largest of four Roundup verdicts won by the same plaintiffs' legal team.
$2.25 billion jury verdict🇺🇸 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Investing.com (Reuters)
ABC News (Associated Press)
Investing.com (Reuters)ABC News (Associated Press)15 Aug 2024
Turning point
Third Circuit finds claims preempted, splitting with other circuits
In Schaffner v. Monsanto, the Third Circuit held that the Pennsylvania failure-to-warn claim was expressly preempted by FIFRA. Bayer said the unanimous decision conflicted with earlier Ninth and Eleventh Circuit rulings. The Supreme Court later cited Schaffner, Carson v. Monsanto and Hardeman in noting that courts had divided on the question.
“The Company is pleased with the unanimous decision from the Third Circuit”Monsanto statement, Bayer
2025
11 Feb 2025
Missouri appeals court upholds the Durnell verdict
The Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, affirmed a jury verdict of more than 1 million dollars for the plaintiff in Durnell v. Monsanto on a failure-to-warn theory, rejecting Monsanto's preemption defence. Bayer said the Missouri Supreme Court denied Monsanto's appeal, and the Supreme Court docket lists that decision on 1 April 2025.
21 Mar 2025
Georgia jury awards nearly 2.1 billion dollars
A Georgia jury ordered Monsanto to pay nearly 2.1 billion dollars, including 2 billion dollars in punitive damages, the AP reported, in a verdict reached late on Friday. Monsanto said it would appeal and that the verdict conflicted with the weight of scientific evidence.
“conflicts with the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence”Monsanto, as reported by the AP, ABC News (Associated Press)
$2.1 billion jury verdict, approximateABC News (Associated Press)
ABC News (Associated Press)4 Apr 2025
Turning point
Monsanto petitions the Supreme Court in Durnell
Monsanto filed a petition for certiorari in Monsanto v. Durnell. On 30 June 2025 the Court invited the Solicitor General to express the views of the United States.
1 Dec 2025
United States files a brief in Durnell
The United States filed an amicus brief in Durnell recommending that the Supreme Court grant review and arguing that FIFRA preempts the failure-to-warn claim. Bayer welcomed the brief.
2026
16 Jan 2026
Turning point
Supreme Court agrees to hear Durnell
The Supreme Court granted review, limited to whether FIFRA preempts a label-based failure-to-warn claim where the EPA has not required the warning.
17 Feb 2026
Turning point
Monsanto proposes a 7.25 billion dollar class settlement
Monsanto announced a proposed nationwide class settlement, filed in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, covering people who allege Roundup exposure before 17 February 2026 and have or are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma within 16 years after final approval. It would pay declining annual amounts of up to 7.25 billion dollars over up to 21 years. Bayer raised its litigation provisions to 11.8 billion euros and said it had settled certain other Roundup cases on confidential terms.
“The class settlement and Supreme Court case are both necessary”Bill Anderson, Bayer CEO, Bayer
4 Mar 2026
St. Louis judge gives preliminary approval
Judge Timothy Boyer of the Missouri state court in St. Louis granted preliminary approval to the class settlement, Reuters reported, while saying he would hear objections before deciding on final approval. Class members could object or opt out until 4 June 2026.
27 Apr 2026
Supreme Court hears argument in Durnell
Paul Clement argued for Monsanto, Principal Deputy Solicitor General Sarah Harris for the United States as amicus supporting Monsanto, and Ashley Keller for the respondent, according to the docket.
22 May 2026
Objectors move the class case to federal court
Objecting plaintiffs removed the class action to federal court in St. Louis, Reuters reported, disrupting the schedule for final approval.
🇺🇸 St. Louis, Missouri
Insurance Journal (Reuters)
Insurance Journal (Reuters)17 Jun 2026
Federal judge sends the settlement back to state court
US District Judge Henry Edward Autrey ruled that the objectors lacked the power to remove the case because only a defendant may do so, and returned it to state court, Reuters reported. The objectors filed a notice of appeal.
🇺🇸 St. Louis, MissouriInsurance Journal (Reuters)
Insurance Journal (Reuters)25 Jun 2026
Turning point
Supreme Court rules FIFRA preempts the Durnell claim
In a 7 to 2 decision written by Justice Kavanaugh, the Supreme Court held that FIFRA expressly preempts a state failure-to-warn claim that would require a cancer warning on Roundup's label, reversing the Missouri Court of Appeals and remanding. Justice Jackson, joined by Justice Gorsuch, dissented. Bayer said the ruling should lead to dismissal of current failure-to-warn claims.
“FIFRA therefore expressly preempts Durnell's claim.”Justice Brett Kavanaugh, for the Court, Supreme Court of the United States
27 Jul 2026
Supreme Court issues its judgment and mandate
The Supreme Court's judgment and mandate in Durnell were issued, returning the case to the Missouri courts, according to the docket.
14 Sep 2026
Turning point
Final approval hearing on the class settlement
Judge Boyer heard arguments from Monsanto, class counsel and objectors on whether to approve the settlement, Reuters reported. Objectors argued the payouts of 10,000 to 165,000 dollars were too small and that 675 million dollars in attorneys' fees was excessive. A Monsanto lawyer said the company would fight the lawsuits in court if the deal were rejected.
“There is not another settlement.”James Bennett, lawyer for Monsanto, as reported by Reuters, KFGO (Reuters)
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Sources
25 records, ranked by type- 1Subject's own statement7 Jun 2018Bayer closes Monsanto acquisitionBayer · bayer.com
- 2News report11 Aug 2018Jury awards $289 million to man who blames Roundup for cancer (AP) PBS NewsHour (Associated Press) · pbs.org
- 3News report28 Mar 2019Bay Area man awarded $80 million after a jury said Roundup caused his cancer ABC7 News (KGO-TV) · abc7news.com
- 4News report13 May 2019Jury orders Monsanto to pay $2 billion in weed killer cancer case (AP) PBS NewsHour (Associated Press) · pbs.org
- 5Subject's own statement24 Jun 2020Bayer announces agreements to resolve major legacy Monsanto litigationBayer · bayer.com
- 6Official record20 Jul 2020Johnson v. Monsanto Company, Nos. A155940, A156706 (opinion)California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District · www4.courts.ca.gov
- 7Official record14 May 2021Hardeman v. Monsanto Co., Nos. 19-16636, 19-16708 (opinion)US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov
- 8Subject's own statement29 Jul 2021Bayer provides update on path to closure of Roundup litigationBayer · bayer.com
- 9Official record9 Aug 2021Pilliod v. Monsanto Company, No. A158228 (opinion)California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District · www4.courts.ca.gov
- 10Official record21 Jun 2022Monsanto Company v. Hardeman, No. 21-241 (docket)Supreme Court of the United States · supremecourt.gov
- 11Subject's own statement15 Aug 2024Monsanto wins Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Schaffner v. MonsantoBayer · bayer.com
- 12News report23 Mar 2025Georgia jury orders Monsanto parent to pay nearly $2.1 billion in Roundup weedkiller lawsuit (AP) ABC News (Associated Press) · abcnews.go.com
- 13Official record27 Jul 2026Monsanto Company v. Durnell, No. 24-1068 (docket)Supreme Court of the United States · supremecourt.gov
- 14Official record25 Jun 2026Monsanto Co. v. Durnell, No. 24-1068 (opinion)Supreme Court of the United States · supremecourt.gov
- 15Subject's own statement17 Feb 2026Monsanto announces Roundup class settlement agreement to resolve current and future claimsBayer · bayer.com
- 16News report5 Mar 2026Bayer's $7.25B Roundup Settlement Gets Initial OK From Judge (Reuters) Insurance Journal (Reuters) · amp.insurancejournal.com
- 17News report18 Jun 2026Federal Judge Sends Bayer's $7.25B Roundup Settlement Back to State Court (Reuters) Insurance Journal (Reuters) · amp.insurancejournal.com
- 18Subject's own statement25 Jun 2026Monsanto wins landmark Roundup case at U.S. Supreme CourtBayer · bayer.com
- 19Subject's own statement17 Sep 2026Roundup Litigation: statement on class final approval hearingBayer · bayer.com
- 20News report14 Sep 2026Bayer's Monsanto unit urges Missouri judge to approve $7.25 billion Roundup settlement (Reuters)KFGO (Reuters) · kfgo.com
- 21Subject's own statement4 Aug 2026Legal Risks, Bayer Half-Year Financial Report Q2 2026Bayer · reports.bayer.com
- 22Subject's own statement2 Dec 2025Bayer welcomes Solicitor General support for U.S. Supreme Court reviewBayer · bayer.com
- 23Official record15 Aug 2024Schaffner v. Monsanto Corp., No. 22-3075 (opinion)US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit · www2.ca3.uscourts.gov
- 24News report26 Jan 2024Bayer ordered to pay $2.25 billion in latest Roundup trial (Reuters) Investing.com (Reuters) · uk.investing.com
- 25Official record1 Dec 2025Monsanto Co. v. Durnell, No. 24-1068, Brief for the United States as Amicus CuriaeSupreme Court of the United States (US Department of Justice filing) · supremecourt.gov
Last updated 1 November 2026. Spotted an error? See corrections. Every event links to the record it comes from. Allegations are attributed to whoever made them.