Paraquat Lawsuit

paraquat lawsuit Updates

Settlement Framework May Pause Seventh Circuit Appeal

On April 14, 2025, both parties filed a joint motion asking the Seventh Circuit to hold their appeal in abeyance. They notified the Court of a signed settlement framework that could resolve this case and numerous others in the MDL. As the agreement may eliminate the need for appellate review, the parties believe a stay would support judicial efficiency. Judge Rosenstengel does not oppose the request. The parties propose submitting a joint status report 60 days after a stay order is issued, with the option to later dismiss the appeal or resume proceedings based on settlement progress.

04/15/25

Objection Filed Over PAQ-Based Dismissal

An objection was filed in the Paraquat MDL challenging a Special Master’s recommendation to dismiss cases for failing to submit the required Plaintiff Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ). In one instance, counsel cited repeated but unsuccessful attempts to contact the plaintiff. Upon reestablishing communication, the PAQ was promptly submitted. Timely PAQ submission is required to maintain an active claim, and courts have enforced that strictly. However, in this case, the delay appears to be due to communication issues rather than bad faith. The objection argues that allowing the case to proceed avoids unnecessary refiling and promotes resolution on the merits without burdening the court.

04/02/25

Status Conference Held in Hair Relaxer MDL

Chief Judge Rosenstengel held a status conference in the East St. Louis Courthouse, with attorneys attending in person and via video. The court received updates on state court cases and discussed the schedule for the first phase of trial preparation. Judge Rosenstengel also reminded plaintiff attorneys to maintain communication with their clients. The next status conference is set for April 11, 2025, at 11:00 AM.

01/31/25

Wisconsin Man Files Paraquat Parkinson’s Lawsuit

A Wisconsin man filed a lawsuit Friday in the Paraquat MDL, alleging prolonged exposure to Paraquat between 1980 and 1985 caused his Parkinson’s disease. The suit names Syngenta AG, Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, and Chevron U.S.A. Inc. as defendants. The plaintiff claims Paraquat was defectively designed and unreasonably dangerous, accusing the companies of failing to warn users of its risks. The lawsuit asserts that Syngenta and Chevron concealed evidence linking Paraquat to oxidative stress and the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons, both linked to Parkinson’s. This case joins a growing number of similar claims in the ongoing litigation

01/13/25

About The Paraquat Lawsuits

Did you develop Parkinson’s disease or another serious health condition following paraquat dichloride exposure? If so, you aren’t alone, and you may be owed compensation.

This highly toxic herbicide is banned in 32 countries but continues to cause harm in the United States, where it is still available for agricultural and commercial use. Though its risks are well documented, the companies producing paraquat continue to prioritize profits over safety.

You may come into contact with paraquat while working on a farm or at a chemical plant. People who live near farms that use paraquat may also be subjected to dangerous levels of the weedkiller. If you were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after exposure to paraquat, it’s a good idea to explore your legal rights. Attorneys are currently helping impacted individuals seek accountability and justice under the multidistrict litigation (MDL) process.

Read on to learn about paraquat’s risks, information about the lawsuits, qualifying health conditions, and how to receive a free case evaluation.

What Is Paraquat—And Why Is It Dangerous?

Paraquat, also known as paraquat dichloride, is a pesticide that kills weeds by destroying plant cells and inhibiting photosynthesis. It has been sold under a variety 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 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?

Despite its risks, paraquat dichloride is one of the most commonly used herbicides on farms across the country. It is not banned in the United States and 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

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

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

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.”

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.