Lawyers for US cancer sufferers challenge Bayer’s $7.25bn Roundup settlement deal

Core Viewpoint - A group of 14 law firms representing nearly 20,000 plaintiffs is challenging Bayer's proposed class-action settlement regarding Roundup litigation, expressing concerns about fairness for cancer sufferers [1][2][3] Group 1: Settlement Proposal Details - Bayer announced a proposed class-action settlement of $7.25 billion on February 17, offering payments between $10,000 and $165,000 to users of glyphosate-based products who have or may develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) [6][7] - The settlement proposal includes a provision for preliminary court approval within a 15-day period, which the opposing law firms are seeking to extend by 60 days for broader public participation and scrutiny [5] Group 2: Concerns Raised by Opposing Law Firms - The law firms argue that the settlement appears "unprecedented" and raises multiple "red flags," suggesting it heavily favors occupational users of Roundup, such as farmers, over residential users [3][8] - The proposed payment schedule indicates that an occupational claimant diagnosed before age 60 with aggressive NHL could receive an average of $165,000, while a residential user with similar traits would average only $40,000 [8] Group 3: Bayer's Legal Challenges - Since acquiring Monsanto in 2018, Bayer has faced over 100,000 lawsuits related to Roundup, resulting in billions of dollars paid in settlements and jury verdicts to individuals claiming NHL due to glyphosate exposure [7]