Bayer’s ambitious $7.25 billion settlement designed to end thousands of cancer lawsuits over its flagship weedkiller Roundup is already facing fierce pushback, with a group of plaintiffs accusing the deal of being a “collusion” scheme between the company and certain class action lawyers.

Attorneys for 13 cancer patients filed formal objections in Missouri state court, arguing the proposed agreement unfairly restricts victims’ rights. They followed up by filing a notice to remove the entire case to federal court, claiming it does not belong in state jurisdiction.

The settlement, unveiled in February, aims to resolve nearly all claims alleging that Roundup’s key ingredient, glyphosate, causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other cancers. Judge Timothy Boyer granted preliminary approval in March, with a final fairness hearing set for early July.

Critics say the deal includes “draconian” opt-out procedures designed to trap plaintiffs into accepting lower compensation, and that the Missouri court lacks authority to bind residents from other states. One objector described the arrangement as “a liability-management scheme” rather than a legitimate resolution for victims.

Chris Seeger, one of the lead class action attorneys negotiating the deal, defended it strongly, saying it provides guaranteed compensation at a critical time, especially with potential Supreme Court rulings looming that could hurt plaintiffs’ chances.

Bayer expressed confidence in the settlement’s support from the majority of claimants and called the removal attempt meritless.

This early legal rebellion highlights just how complex and contentious the long-running Roundup litigation has become. Bayer, which inherited the massive legal headache after acquiring Monsanto in 2018, is desperate for a global resolution to stop the bleeding from endless trials. However, not all plaintiffs’ lawyers are on board, seeing the deal as a rushed attempt to limit payouts and shield the company from stronger individual cases.

With roughly 65,000 claims still active, the outcome of this battle could determine whether Bayer finally achieves closure — or if the litigation drags on for years with potentially much higher costs. For the thousands of cancer patients and their families involved, the stakes could not be higher: a fair resolution versus years of continued uncertainty.

As more objections are expected before the June opt-out deadline, all eyes are now on the Missouri court and the looming federal maneuvers.