On June 21, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Bayer, the makers of the herbicide known as Roundup. In their appeal, the company asked the court to reconsider a $25 million verdict for California plaintiff Edwin Hardeman. Bayer questioned the World Health Organization’s findings, which classified glyphosate, an active ingredient in Roundup, as a carcinogen. Specifically, glyphosate was linked with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Additionally, Bayer argued that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cleared Roundup for sale in the U.S., and did not require them to warn about the link between NHL and prolonged exposure to Roundup.
This was a crushing blow for tens of thousands of injury victims, who contracted non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma due to prolonged exposure to Roundup. If Bayer succeed in their appeal, it would surely have devastating consequences on the rights of injury victims who were still waiting for compensation.
In May of this year, the Biden administration recommended that the Supreme Court reject Bayer’s petition and allow the settlements to move forward. This was a big win for Roundup cancer victims, but all payments were on hold until the Supreme Court made their final decision. Thankfully, it did not take long for them to deny the company’s appeal and let the verdict stand for Roundup injury victims throughout the country.
If you are one of the anxious plaintiffs waiting for your payment from Roundup, you likely have the following questions on your mind:
- How long will it take to get paid on the Roundup settlement claims?
- How can I get paid as fast as possible?
- Why is my lawyer taking so long to settle my Roundup case?
Average Time to get paid on the Roundup Settlement Claims
At the time Bayer filed their petition with the Supreme Court, approximately 100,000 cases were settled with Roundup exposure victims. However, around 30,000 claimants were still waiting to get paid when Bayer filed their appeal. Prior to this appeal, it was estimated that most of the remaining 30,000 plaintiffs would receive settle payments by the end of this year.
While the Supreme Court justices were reviewing the appeal, all payments from the Roundup settlement fund were on hold. This will undoubtedly add to the amount of time you will need to wait before your case is settled. On the other hand, the delay was not as long as we expected, so most victims should still receive compensation by the end of this year.
How much can I get from a Roundup Settlement?
Bayer has a points system for calculating the amount they will offer a Roundup victim. Essentially, points are assigned based on various factors that are specific to the plaintiff. These factors include:
- Age when the victim was diagnosed with NHL.
- The types and range of treatment required by the victim.
- Amount of expose – particularly relevant to gardeners and groundskeepers.
- Risk factors – genetics and pre-existing conditions that can lessen Roundup’s liability in a case of NHL.
- Fatality from Roundup exposure (wrongful death)
Make sure to discuss the points system with an experienced Roundup attorney. This way, you can determine what your case is worth and not accept a payment that’s inadequate for your level of suffering. You have the option to file a lawsuit and fight for all the damages you deserve, but that’s not something you should attempt without guidance from a personal injury lawyer.
Why hasn’t Bayer offered me a Settlement?
Frankly, it’s unpredictable when Bayer will reach out to a victim with a settlement offer. While most plaintiffs have been paid, around 30,000 victims is still a big number of people to get through. The recent delay stemming from the Supreme Court petition has added to the amount of time you may need to wait. At this point, it’s impossible to determine how long that may be.
Regardless of these circumstances, you should have a lawyer who’s actively checking up on your payment. They should be fighting to recover your settlement as soon as possible so that you can put this painful chapter of your life behind you. If your lawyer is not taking such actions on your behalf, what can you do?
Can I Switch my Attorney?
Yes, you can switch to another lawyer if you’re unhappy with the way your Roundup case is being handled. However, it’s important to make sure that your lawyer is failing you. Sometimes, there are legitimate reasons for why a case is taking so long. With Roundup claims, there have been many ups and downs, including the appeal that was recently rejected by the Supreme Court. These are stall tactics that will hold up payments, and there’s really nothing a lawyer can do about that.
However, a lawyer’s incompetence or lack of caring can also lead to settlement delays. Whether or not this is the case can be difficult for the average person to determine. That’s why we invite you to a free second opinion consultation with one of our attorneys. We will review your case and provide you with an honest assessment of your lawyer’s service, as well as your legal options if you are waiting on a Roundup settlement award. There is no obligation to switch over to us, but if you’re interested in doing so, we will take care of the process to transfer your case to our firm. To schedule a free second opinion, please give us a call at our office.
Zero Fee Guarantee
We know how stressful it can be to manage your finances when you’re suffering from the effects of Roundup exposure. The medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional impact on you and your family can be devastating. An attorney is essential to ensuring that you are paid for your injuries as soon as possible. However, many victims are under the impression that they cannot afford an attorney. Other victims have a lawyer, but they’re frustrated by the long wait times and lack of communication from their law firm.
If you are struggling with either of these issues, let us tell you about our Zero fee guarantee. You pay us nothing upfront, even if you’re coming to us from another law firm. All our fees are deferred until you receive your Roundup settlement, so you are never at risk when you hire one of our attorneys. For more information on your rights and legal options as a Roundup injury victim, contact our office and schedule a free case evaluation.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Roundup Class Action Lawsuit – When Will I Get Paid?
