Paraquat Lawsuit Overview

What Is the Paraquat Lawsuit?

Thousands of individuals across the United States are filing lawsuits against Syngenta AG and Chevron U.S.A. alleging that exposure to the herbicide paraquat (sold under the brand name Gramoxone) caused them to develop Parkinson's disease.

Paraquat is one of the most widely used — and most toxic — herbicides in the world. It is banned in more than 30 countries, including the European Union, China, and Brazil, due to its severe health risks. Despite this, it remains legal and widely used in the United States.

Who Uses Paraquat?

Paraquat is a restricted-use pesticide in the US, meaning it can only be applied by licensed applicators. People who may have been exposed include:

• Farmers and agricultural workers who applied paraquat to crops
• Farm residents who lived near fields where paraquat was sprayed
• Mixing and loading workers who handled concentrated paraquat
• Crop dusters and aerial applicators
• Landscapers and groundskeepers at commercial properties

The Science Behind the Claims

The link between paraquat and Parkinson's disease is supported by decades of scientific research:

• A 2011 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that paraquat exposure increased Parkinson's risk by 150%
• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has funded multiple studies confirming the association
• Research shows paraquat crosses the blood-brain barrier and damages dopamine-producing neurons — the same neurons destroyed in Parkinson's disease
• Animal studies consistently demonstrate that paraquat exposure causes Parkinson's-like neurodegeneration

What Are Plaintiffs Alleging?

The lawsuits allege that Syngenta and Chevron:

• Knew about the link between paraquat and Parkinson's disease for decades
• Concealed or downplayed the neurotoxic risks of their product
• Failed to warn farmers, agricultural workers, and the public about the Parkinson's risk
• Continued to sell paraquat in the US despite it being banned in dozens of other countries
• Influenced regulatory decisions to keep paraquat on the market

Current Status of the Litigation

The Paraquat litigation is consolidated as MDL 3004 in the Southern District of Illinois, before Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel.

Key developments:

• Thousands of cases pending in the MDL
• Bellwether trials being scheduled to test the strength of plaintiff claims before juries
• No global settlement has been reached — both sides are actively litigating
• New cases continue to be filed as more individuals connect their Parkinson's diagnosis to past paraquat exposure

Why You Should Act Now

If you were exposed to paraquat and have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, the time to act is now:

• Statutes of limitations vary by state and could expire
• Early filers are typically better positioned in any eventual settlement
• Evidence preservation — medical records and employment records should be secured

A free case review costs nothing. An experienced mass tort attorney can evaluate whether your Parkinson's diagnosis may be linked to paraquat exposure.