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Bayer is reportedly in talks to establish a Roundup settlement which would resolve cancer claims regarding its weed killer.
Bayer AG, which purchased Monsanto for $66 billion in 2016, faces tens of thousands of Roundup claims around the country. The company is reportedly taking part in negotiations to resolve claims which have been consolidated in a California-centered multi-district litigation.
The negotiation is being led by a court-appointed mediator. Through negotiation sessions, Bayer is meeting with individual attorneys in order to seek a resolution.
“There are talks with various lawyers around the nation who have significant inventories of Roundup cases,” the mediator said in an interview with ClaimsJournal.com. “I’m optimistic we can reach a comprehensive settlement of this litigation.”
Bayer corroborated this statement, stating that “the mediation process is continuing diligently and in good faith to explore resolution under the auspices of [the mediator].”
According to the Claims Journal, a Monsanto Roundup settlement would focus on resolving claims in groups opposed to a global-resolution program. This information was confirmed by people close to the settlement negotiations, although they asked the Claims Journal for anonymity since they are not authorized to speak about the case publicly.
This settlement strategy could result in lower costs for Bayer when compared to a large, global-scale resolution program. Larger programs can result in settlement costs spiraling into large amounts.
“When you have a formal program, you have to deal with the weight of all the cases combined when you start figuring out a settlement,” Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor, told the Claims Journal. “Limiting negotiations to individual lawyers or small groups gives the company a negotiating edge.”
Tobias referenced the case of Pfizer-subsidiary Wyeth which ended up paying up to $21 billion to resolve heart problem claims regarding its weight loss medication. With the large costs of global settlement programs, some companies have been forced to declare bankruptcy.
This is reportedly not the case for Bayer, according to the settlement mediator, who said he’s “not heard one word” about a potential bankruptcy.
The Monsanto Roundup Lawsuit is In re: Roundup Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2741, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Roundup Settlement Allegations
Plaintiffs in Monsanto Roundup lawsuits claim that the weed killer is associated with the development of cancer – specifically, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The disease allegedly develops after using Roundup weed killer regularly, with some plaintiffs developing the cancer after decades of use.
Several people have been awarded multi-million dollar verdicts to resolve their claims, although Bayer has appealed these decisions. The first three trials, all of which took place in California, resulted in over $2.4 billion in losses for Bayer.
If a Roundup settlement is secured in the near future, it would provide both sides with a way to resolve their claims. Six trials are scheduled for January, although several have been postponed, which could have uncertain results for Bayer and plaintiffs allegedly injured by Roundup.
If you or a loved one developed cancer after using Roundup as a farm worker or home gardener, you may have a legal claim. Legal migrant farm workers may also seek help. Learn more by filling out the form on this page for a FREE case evaluation.
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