paraquat lawsuit Updates
Farmers Nationwide File Lawsuits Alleging Paraquat Herbicide Caused Parkinson's Disease
Thousands of farmers in the United States who were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease are filing lawsuits against the manufacturers of the herbicide Paraquat. They allege that decades of occupational exposure to the chemical caused their neurological disorder. The litigation highlights that Paraquat, while widely used in U.S. agriculture, is banned in dozens of other countries due to toxicity concerns. The plaintiffs claim the companies produced a dangerously defective product and failed to warn users about the significant risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
Farmers Nationwide File Lawsuits Alleging Paraquat Herbicide Caused Parkinson's Disease
Thousands of farmers in the United States who were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease are filing lawsuits against the manufacturers of the herbicide Paraquat. They allege that decades of occupational exposure to the chemical caused their neurological disorder. The litigation highlights that Paraquat, while widely used in U.S. agriculture, is banned in dozens of other countries due to toxicity concerns. The plaintiffs claim the companies produced a dangerously defective product and failed to warn users about the significant risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
Documents Reveal Alleged Longstanding Concealment of Paraquat Risks
The advocacy group The New Lede has documented historical findings linking Paraquat to Parkinson’s disease. The group uncovered internal corporate documents from the 1960s indicating Syngenta circulated memos acknowledging Paraquat’s high toxicity. Reports also allege the company concealed these risks from the public and created a “PQ SWAT Team” to challenge scientific research identifying dangers associated with Paraquat exposure. Syngenta has since paid settlements to individuals who developed Parkinson’s following exposure to the herbicide, while additional claims continue to be filed each month as awareness and litigation expand.
Study Links Paraquat to Olfactory Damage, Strengthening Parkinson's Disease Litigation
New research has found that Paraquat exposure impaired the sense of smell in mice, a significant discovery as olfactory loss is a recognized early symptom of Parkinson's disease in humans. The study noted the chemical entered the brain, with male mice showing greater susceptibility. This provides further mechanistic evidence for the thousands of lawsuits alleging the herbicide causes Parkinson's. These claims are consolidated in a federal multidistrict litigation, with new cases continuing to be filed each month.
About The Paraquat Lawsuits
Did you develop Parkinson’s disease or another serious health condition after exposure to paraquat dichloride? You are not alone and you may be entitled to significant compensation through current paraquat lawsuits and MDL litigation.
Paraquat is banned in over 32 countries, including the U.K. and the entire EU, due to its extreme toxicity. Yet it remains widely used in the United States, especially in commercial agriculture and industrial weed control.
Despite mounting scientific evidence connecting paraquat to Parkinson’s disease, manufacturers have continued to sell paraquat-containing products, prioritizing profits over public safety.
(See National Institutes of Health study linking paraquat and PD risk: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3572192/)
Workers, farmers, pesticide applicators, and residents living near agricultural areas may unknowingly inhale or absorb dangerous levels of paraquat. If you later developed Parkinson’s, a paraquat lawsuit attorney can help determine whether you qualify for legal action.
What Is Paraquat—And Why Is It Dangerous?
Paraquat (paraquat dichloride) is a fast-acting herbicide used to kill weeds by destroying plant cells. It is sold under dozens of brand names, including:
- AH 501
- Bai Cao Ku
- Blanco
- Bonedry
- Cyclone SL 2.0
- Crisquat
- Devour
- Dexuron
- Dexuron
- Esgram
- Firestorm
- Garmixel
- Gramoxone
- Helmquat 3SL
- Ortho Paraquat CL
- Parazone
- Para-col
- Para-Shot 3.0
- Pillarxone
- PP148
- Quick-Quat
- Tota-col
Paraquat does its job well, which is why it continues to be used in agricultural settings in the United States. However, there is a dangerous catch: paraquat is incredibly toxic to humans. A person can die from drinking just a teaspoon’s worth of the chemical, making it one of the deadliest herbicides in existence. Thousands of adults and children around the world have died from intentionally or unintentionally ingesting paraquat.
But paraquat consumption isn’t the only hazardous route of exposure; those who come into contact with the chemical, even at low levels, may develop health problems such as the following:
- Cardiovascular problems: Low blood pressure, heart failure, arrhythmia
- Central nervous system issues: Parkinson’s disease (PD), seizures, coma, disorientation
- Gastrointestinal problems: Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, gastrointestinal damage
- Organ damage: Kidney and liver failure
- Respiratory complications: Trouble breathing, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary edema, respiratory failure
- Skin problems: Chemical burns, rash, irritation
People who receive prolonged exposure to paraquat over an extended period of time are at a greater risk of serious complications.
About Parkinson’s Disease & Its Link To Paraquat
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that disrupts the body’s ability to move normally. It is thought to be caused by a loss of neurons (nerve cells) in the brain. Neurons are responsible for the production of dopamine, a chemical involved in the coordination of movement.
Parkinson’s disease causes a variety of movement-related symptoms (also called motor symptoms), including:
- Tremors, which often occur while at rest. They commonly present as involuntary shaking that begins in the hands or fingers and progresses to the rest of the body.
- Bradykinesia, or slow movements. Affected individuals may walk or move at a slower pace and have trouble standing up.
- Limb stiffness. Muscles may become stiffer and harder to move, resulting in decreased range of motion and pain.
- Problems with balance. Patients may find it harder to walk or stand steadily, which can lead to dangerous falls.
Parkinson’s disease can also cause symptoms that are not related to movement, called non-motor symptoms. These include:
- Anosmia (loss of smell)
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Cognitive problems
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Sleep disorders
Though Parkinson’s disease may have a genetic component, it can also be caused by environmental factors, including paraquat dichloride exposure. As actor and Parkinson’s activist Michael J. Fox, who has the disease himself, explained, “Genetics loads the gun, and environment pulls the trigger.”
Studies show that those exposed to paraquat as teens or young adults have a staggering 200 to 600% increased risk of developing Parkinson’s later in life. PD is thought to occur due to widespread, programmed cell death (called apoptosis) of dopamine-generating brain neurons. Paraquat has been observed to induce apoptosis in these dopaminergic neuronal cells, possibly explaining its link to Parkinson’s.
Who Is At Risk Of Paraquat Exposure?
Anyone who comes into contact with paraquat may be at risk of developing complications, including Parkinson’s. Those at the highest risk are individuals who are exposed over an extended period of time. This includes the following groups:
- People who work with paraquat or paraquat-containing products
- Farm or Agricultural Workers who spray paraquat on or harvest affected crops
- Crop-Dusting Pilots who apply paraquat to crops aerially
- Chemical Manufacturing Workers involved in producing paraquat
- Truck Drivers who may come into contact with paraquat while transporting the chemical
- People who live near farms where paraquat is used
Though the most dangerous exposures occur when people come into contact with high levels of paraquat over a longer period of time, experts say that even minimal exposure can be dangerous. That means people could also experience health complications from breathing in wind-carried paraquat droplets, drinking water tainted by paraquat runoff, or eating foods contaminated with paraquat.
Who Qualifies For The Paraquat Parkinson’s Lawsuit?
You may qualify for the lawsuit if you were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) after being exposed to paraquat.
You may also be eligible if you have Parkinson’s Disease and meet one or more of the following requirements:
- You used paraquat in your course of business
- You lived near a farm that used a paraquat herbicide
- You worked for a company that used paraquat
- You were otherwise exposed to paraquat
PLEASE NOTE: Proof of a medical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and exposure to paraquat are typically required to be eligible for compensation.
If you worked with paraquat on a farm or in an agricultural setting, you may be familiar with the exact chemicals you used. However, those exposed while living on or near a farm may not be aware of their contact with the chemical. That’s why those who developed Parkinson’s while living on or near a farm are strongly advised to speak with a class action lawyer to determine their eligibility. We recommend filling out the form at the top of the page to request a free case evaluation.
What Are The Main Legal Allegations?
Several big-name companies have been named in the Paraquat Parkinson’s lawsuits, such as Syngenta and Chevron USA Inc. The complaints make several serious allegations, including:
- Negligence. These companies knowingly designed, manufactured, and marketed a dangerous and defective product without regard to safety.
- Failure to warn. Despite knowing the risks, the named companies failed to provide adequate warnings on paraquat product labels.
- Fraud and misrepresentation. For decades, the companies ignored information demonstrating paraquat’s neurological dangers and continued to market it as safe.
Is Paraquat Banned in the United States?
No. Despite global restrictions, paraquat is still legal and one of the most commonly used herbicides on farms across the country. Paraquat is approved by the EPA for agricultural and commercial use. The EPA claims to conduct regular reviews on paraquat to ensure the public’s continued safety.
Though multiple studies show a clear association between Parkinson’s disease and paraquat exposure, the EPA does not acknowledge this link. Critics believe this is a reflection of the organization’s strategic selection of evidence to support continued paraquat use.
The Devastating Consequences Of Paraquat
Thousands of individuals around the world believe their Parkinson’s disease was caused by paraquat exposure. In an effort to demonstrate the weedkiller’s heartbreaking effects, the Michael J. Fox Foundation compiled some of their stories to share with the EPA.
These are just a few of them:
Patient 2 - Farmer, diagnosed at 68
Patient 2, a former farmer, used paraquat extensively during the 1970s and 1980s. “At that time there were no warnings or instructions of any kind on protecting yourself from exposure,” he reflected. Tragically, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2018 at 68 years old. By the next year, Patient 2 had developed a related disorder called Lewy body dementia (LBD).
“My wife is writing this because I cannot put complete thoughts together at all,” said Patient 2. “I am still mobile but have severe balance issues and fall frequently. I suffer from hallucinations and delusions and can't distinguish between these and reality.”
Patient 3 - Childhood exposure near crop-dusted fields
Patient 3, who grew up on military bases, recalls a childhood filled with outdoor exploration. He often played in fields of crops that he later learned were treated with paraquat. “I recall being showered by crop-dusters in and around these fields, unaware of the potential for future risks to my health. This occurred many times between 1963 and 1970.”
Despite DNA testing that ruled out a genetic predisposition to Parkinson’s, Patient 3 was diagnosed with the disease in 2014 at 57 years old after suffering from symptoms for years. “Today I suffer from multiple symptoms of advanced Parkinson’s, such as insomnia, vision and digestive complications, muscle weakness and cramping, balance and cognitive issues, lethargy, and general malaise. I implore the EPA to enact legislation banning paraquat during this review cycle,” Patient 3 pleaded.
Patient 12 - Entire family exposed and affected
Patient 12 developed Parkinson’s disease after years of paraquat exposure on the family farm—and, unbelievably, so did her mother, uncle, and older brother. “Our family grew up on a dairy farm in Western New York from the mid-fifties to mid-sixties,” Patient 12 recalled. “We used herbicides on the crops such as corn and oats, and the cows ate the corn along with being pastured near the cornfields. My family drank the cows’ milk and ate the beef/pork produced on the farm. We drank water from a shallow well on the same property. The cornfield was right outside my bedroom window, and I often slept with the windows open in the summertime. I remember smelling something pungent in the air after the crops were sprayed.”
Eventually, Patient 12 and her three affected family members—who have sadly since passed from the disease—developed Parkinson’s. Her younger brother, who was born after they moved away from the farm and thus was not exposed to paraquat, does not have Parkinson’s disease. “Please ban the use of harmful chemicals like paraquat,” Patient 12 urged the EPA. “We know enough to act and to ensure that those most vulnerable can be better protected.”
Full testimony archive: https://www.michaeljfox.org/real-talk-patients
These stories highlight why thousands are pursuing paraquat lawsuit settlement compensation.
I’m Ready To Join The Lawsuit: What Now?
If you or a loved one was impacted by paraquat, you may be interested in joining the lawsuit. But Parkinson’s disease often comes with financial strain like medical bills, lost wages, and diminished earning potential, which can make hiring an attorney feel daunting.
The good news is that most attorneys who work on these cases don’t require upfront payment. Instead, they work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay a percentage of your compensation only if you win your case. This gives everyone an equal chance at obtaining the accountability they deserve.
Attorneys in the OCA network are standing by to answer any questions you have about the legal process. Take the first step toward justice today—fill out the form at the top of the page for a free, confidential case evaluation.
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