Roundup & Cancer in NY: What the Settlement Means for You

Michele Mirman | Product Liability | March 16, 2026

For decades, companies marketed Roundup as a safe and effective weed killer. Families sprayed it in their gardens. Workers used it on farms, parks, and school grounds. However, many people never received clear warnings about potential cancer risks.

I am Michele Mirman, a New York City personal injury attorney, and I have spent my career holding corporations accountable when they put profits before people. In recent years, I have closely followed litigation involving Roundup and its manufacturer, Monsanto, now owned by Bayer. Moreover, I have spoken with individuals and families who believe glyphosate exposure contributed to devastating cancer diagnoses.

Today, I want to explain what the Bayer–Monsanto U.S. national class settlement agreement means, what it does not mean, and why your rights still matter.

What Is Roundup and Why Is It Controversial?

Roundup is a widely used herbicide that contains glyphosate as its active ingredient. For years, Monsanto promoted glyphosate-based products as safe when used as directed. However, scientific debate intensified after the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”

As a result, thousands of lawsuits followed. Plaintiffs alleged that Monsanto failed to warn users about the increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Many of these cases went to trial, and several juries returned substantial verdicts in favor of injured plaintiffs.

These verdicts changed the legal landscape. They also forced Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, to confront mounting liability.

The Bayer–Monsanto U.S. National Class Settlement Agreement

In response to growing litigation, Bayer entered into a U.S. national class settlement agreement to address future claims involving Roundup and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This agreement aimed to create a framework for resolving certain future cases and managing risk.

Importantly, the proposed class settlement focused on individuals who had used Roundup but had not yet filed lawsuits and had not yet been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The agreement attempted to establish a science panel to determine whether glyphosate can cause this cancer.

However, courts scrutinized the proposal carefully. Judges raised concerns about fairness, due process, and the rights of individuals who might develop cancer in the future. Therefore, the legal status and scope of any class-based resolution have evolved over time.

What you need to understand is this:

• The settlement did not eliminate individual claims.
  
• It did not prevent already diagnosed individuals from pursuing compensation.
  
• It did not shield Bayer from all liability.
  

Consequently, many people still retain the right to bring individual lawsuits based on their specific circumstances.

What the Settlements Mean in Practical Terms

Large settlement announcements often create confusion. People assume the case is “over.” They believe no further action is possible. That assumption can cost families the compensation they deserve.

In reality, settlements typically fall into two categories:

• Global resolution programs for pending cases
  
• Structured frameworks for evaluating future claims
  

However, individual claims still depend on evidence of exposure, diagnosis, and causation. Each case stands on its own merits.

Moreover, New York residents must pay attention to statutes of limitation. You generally have a limited window to file a claim after diagnosis or after discovering the link between exposure and illness. Therefore, timing matters.

Who May Have a Valid Roundup Claim?

From my perspective as a trial attorney, strong cases usually involve clear exposure history and documented diagnosis. You may have grounds to pursue a claim if:

• You regularly used Roundup for years
  
• You worked as a landscaper, groundskeeper, or agricultural laborer
  
• You developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  
• You have medical documentation supporting your diagnosis
  

Additionally, family members of deceased victims may have wrongful death claims under New York law. These cases seek compensation for lost income, medical expenses, and the profound emotional toll of losing a loved one.

Why I Take These Cases Personally

I have represented injured clients with exposure to toxic substances throughout my career. I know how overwhelming a cancer diagnosis feels. Patients face medical uncertainty, financial strain, and emotional exhaustion.

Meanwhile, multinational corporations deploy teams of lawyers and scientists to defend their products. They control vast resources. They shape public narratives. However, our civil justice system exists to level that imbalance.

When companies fail to warn consumers about foreseeable risks, they must answer for the consequences. I believe juries serve as an essential check on corporate misconduct. Furthermore, public accountability drives safer products in the future.

The Hidden Risk to Families and Children

Roundup exposure can affect anyone, not just agricultural workers or landscapers. Increasingly, concerns have emerged about rising cancer diagnoses among younger individuals. Some researchers and advocates point to repeated exposure in public spaces, including parks and playgrounds treated with glyphosate-based products. Children, in particular, may be at heightened risk of pesticide exposure because their bodies are still developing and they often have closer contact with treated grass and soil.

When corporations place products into widespread use in community spaces, they assume responsibility for the safety of adults, teenagers, and children alike. If evidence shows that a product contributes to serious illness, companies such as Monsanto and Bayer must answer for the harm caused. Families in New York City deserve transparency, accountability, and protection from preventable risks.

Why New Yorkers Should Act Promptly

New York law imposes deadlines for filing product liability claims. These deadlines can vary depending on when you discovered your injury and its potential cause. In New York specifically, personal injury claims — including product liability cases like Roundup cancer claims — generally must be filed within three years after you discover the injury or illness.

As a result, waiting too long can permanently bar your claim. Moreover, evidence becomes harder to gather over time. Witness memories fade. Employment records disappear. Therefore, early investigation strengthens your position.

I encourage anyone diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who used Roundup to seek legal advice promptly. A consultation does not obligate you to file a lawsuit. However, it protects your right to make an informed decision.

What Compensation May Cover

If you establish liability, compensation may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
  
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity
  
• Pain and suffering
  
• Emotional distress
• Disibilities
  
• Loss of enjoyment of life
  

In wrongful death cases, families may recover additional damages tied to financial dependency and companionship losses.

My Commitment to Clients

When clients come to my office, they do not want legal jargon. They want clarity. They want honesty. They want someone to stand beside them.

I approach each Roundup case with diligence and determination. Moreover, I prepare every case as if it will go to trial. That preparation strengthens negotiation leverage and signals seriousness to defense counsel.

Although no lawyer can promise an outcome, I can promise effort, transparency, and advocacy.

Moving Forward

The Bayer–Monsanto U.S. national class settlement agreement reflects the immense scale of this litigation. It acknowledges widespread concern. However, it does not erase individual suffering.

If you or a loved one developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after using Roundup, you deserve answers. You deserve a careful review of your case. Most importantly, you deserve to know your rights under New York law.

Therefore, I invite you to contact my office at mirmanlawyers.com for a confidential consultation. We will evaluate your exposure history, review your medical records, and discuss potential next steps.

Corporations make choices every day. When those choices harm consumers, our legal system provides a path toward accountability. I have dedicated my career to walking that path with my clients.

If you or a loved one has suffered health complications and you believe that Roundup is to blame, do not hesitate to contact Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. Call us at  212-804-6502 or visit us at https://mirmanlawyers.com.