Lawyers challenge Roundup cancer settlement as Supreme Court ruling nears

Lawyers representing plaintiffs in a Supreme Court case regarding Roundup cancer claims are actively opposing a pending $7.25 billion class-action settlement with the company. They have labeled the agreement a "sweetheart deal" that offers insufficient compensation to users who believe they were sickened by the weed killer while providing excessive protection for the manufacturer. The legal team filed papers on May 22 to move the case from state court to federal court, a move expected to delay a June 4 deadline for victims to decide on the settlement. This delay increases the uncertainty surrounding the deal, particularly as the Supreme Court is expected to rule by early July on whether Roundup users can sue by claiming the product violated state laws regarding dangerous products. The ruling is critical because the Environmental Protection Agency has not determined that Roundup poses a cancer risk, meaning the Supreme Court's decision could determine the validity of thousands of lawsuits. Bayer, the German pharmaceutical giant that acquired Roundup maker Monsanto, hopes both the Supreme Court ruling and the settlement will limit future liability, though the company is also pushing for legislation to shield itself from legal action.

(Source：USA TODAY)