Paraquat Lawsuit — Parkinson’s Disease Lawyer

Lawsuits related to paraquat have been filed, claiming the herbicide is responsible for causing Parkinson’s disease after prolonged exposure. If you or a loved one may have been exposed to paraquat and have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or other health complications, you may be able to file a Parkinson's disease paraquat lawsuit with the help of an experienced attorney.

What Is Paraquat?

Paraquat dichloride, known as “paraquat” and sold under brand names such as Gramoxone, Parazone, and Firestorm, is a cheap, widely utilized, highly toxic herbicide used as a weed killer. Farmers and agricultural laborers are at the most risk of being exposed to the herbicide paraquat. However, residents who live in rural communities near industrial farms are also at an increased risk of paraquat exposure. Licensed paraquat applicators and agricultural workers face the most significant exposure to this toxic herbicide.

Paraquat was first introduced in 1961 in commercial settings to control grass and kill weeds. It’s also used to defoliate crops, such as cotton, before it’s harvested. It works against most plants, and its popularity for being used for prevented planting acres is growing. Additionally, paraquat also works well as a burn-down before planting specific crops, particularly soybeans.

Paraquat Lawsuits Should not be Confused With Roundup Litigation

Paraquat is a restricted-use pesticide. Thus, only licensed applicators may use this herbicide. Applicators must take an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved training program once every three years — this is what separates paraquat Parkinson’s disease lawsuits from Roundup litigation. Roundup could be purchased at numerous retailers, and one does not need a license to use such herbicide.

Across the country, injured consumers have filed paraquat lawsuits against the makers and distributors of this herbicide. These lawsuits claim that the dangerous herbicide paraquat caused their Parkinson’s Disease. Further, they allege the makers of paraquat knowingly produced and distributed a known toxin. Several epidemiological studies linked paraquat to Parkinson’s disease.

Paraquat Dichloride is Banned in 30 Countries

Currently, paraquat is banned in more than 30 countries. The paraquat lawsuit focuses on individuals subjected to repeated exposure and subsequently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. These injured consumers and their loved ones seek financial compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced due to their exposure to paraquat. A paraquat settlement may help cover the medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering that a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease brings.

Handling the Paraquat Parkinson's Disease Lawsuit

Our law firm is at the front of the paraquat Parkinson’s lawsuit. The Dolman Law Group is accepting clients who have had significant exposure to paraquat and subsequently developed Parkinson’s Disease.

Our award-winning paraquat lawsuit lawyers have successfully handled large and complex mass tort lawsuits across the country. We have earned a reputation for being aggressive legal advocates for consumers who suffered injuries at the hands of negligent and reckless corporations. We have the financial resources and experience to take on large corporations like the makers of paraquat. Other law firms often refer their biggest and most complicated clients to us because of our reputation in the legal community.

Our paraquat attorneys are attempting to hold Syngenta (manufacturer of paraquat) responsible as evidence from the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council shows that paraquat exposure may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease by 200-600%

Our Paraquat Lawsuit Lawyers Are Here to Help

Why Choose Our Law Firm?

When you are looking for a paraquat lawsuit attorney, you must ensure they have the experience to build your case properly. These cases are complex and require substantial resources to build. You need a law firm with a track record of success, winning multi-million dollar cases. We are that law firm. Just look at what our past clients had to say about working with Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, P.A. (hereinafter referred to as “Dolman Law Group”). While past success never guarantees future results, you can rest easier knowing you have a team of experienced and dedicated trial lawyers on your side.

Dolman Law Group is Among the Most Experienced Mass Tort Law Firms in the Nation

Dolman Law Group is a nationally recognized plaintiff’s personal injury, product liability, and mass tort litigation law firm.

Attorney Matthew Dolman is no stranger to large and complex litigation. He is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which honors lawyers who have secured verdicts and settlements over $2 million. Fewer than 1% of practicing lawyers have achieved such status.

Stan Gipe is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer as designated by the Florida Bar. He has served as lead counsel in over 2000 lawsuits and numerous jury trials.

When you choose our paraquat lawyers, you receive:

• A Free Case Review: we offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation to help you examine your legal options after your Paraquat exposure and the likelihood of succeeding with a claim or paraquat lawsuit.
• Law Firm with Successful Track Record: our law firm routinely handles multi-million dollar injury cases, and we are a team of experienced trial lawyers.
• National Reach: we not only handle cases throughout Florida but all across the nation. From coast-to-coast, our law firm delivers.
• Big Law Firm Results: we are proud to offer big law firm results with small firm personal attention. It's what sets us apart.

Dolman Law Group is a nationally recognized personal injury and consumer justice law firm with over 120+ years of combined experience. As of date, we have recovered over $200 million for injury victims and represented over 6000 clients. Our firm has been built on word-of-mouth referrals from very satisfied former and current clients.

We are presently handling many mass tort projects, including Zantac, AFFF Fire Fighting Foam, Elmiron, Roundup, and Talc Powder injury cases. Our paraquat lawyers are available 24 hours a day for a free case review to determine your eligibility for paraquat lawsuits.

Do You Qualify for a Paraquat Lawsuit and Settlement?

Pesticide exposure can be a chronic hazard for laborers and those who live near farmlands. If you worked with paraquat in your profession or resided in a community near a farm that did, and you developed Parkinson’s Disease, you may be entitled to compensation. To obtain this compensation, you must file a paraquat lawsuit against the makers of this toxic poison.

The chemical compounds that make paraquat toxic to plants also render it extremely toxic to humans. There is currently no antidote to remedy paraquat exposure. Because of its high toxicity, the U.S. placed several safeguards to prevent it from being ingested, including adding a chemical that induces vomiting if accidentally consumed. We believe that manufacturers knew of the dangers of paraquat yet ignored the evidence.

However, most individuals were exposed to this toxin after it was inhaled or sprayed on plants. As a result, the levels of this toxic chemical in their body may have contributed to the development of Parkinson’s disease. Sadly, the risk of paraquat exposure has been known for decades. Yet, companies continued to use this highly toxic substance as they prioritized their profits over consumer health. Injured consumers and their families can seek justice by filing a paraquat Parkinson’s disease lawsuit.

Due to several scientific studies in recent years, there is strong evidence of a link between occupational exposure to paraquat herbicides and a greatly increased risk of several serious health complications, such as organ failure, various forms of cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. As a result, more than 32 countries have now banned the sale of paraquat. Although paraquat use in the United States is still legal, lawsuits are being filed steadily. Keep in mind that paraquat is one of the most widely used herbicides.

Nearly two thousand paraquat lawsuits have been filed as of date– alleging a link between paraquat, the widely-banned herbicide, and incurable Parkinson’s disease.

Paraquat Class Action Lawsuit - Multi-District Litigation

A motion was filed with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) in April 2021 to consolidate all paraquat cases filed in Federal Courts. The goal was to consolidate each paraquat lawsuit before one Federal Judge to streamline the process into a paraquat multidistrict litigation (MDL).

The motion identified fourteen lawsuits with common questions of both law and fact, which made it ripe for being handled as multidistrict litigation. In June 2021, an MDL for paraquat was officially formed. All cases were transferred to the United States Federal Court for the Southern District of Illinois before the Honorable Judge Nancy Rosenstengal.

Paraquat Lawsuit Updates - Parkinson's Disease Lawsuits

There have been significant developments in the paraquat MDL since it was first created. The first test jury trial (known as a bellwether trial) has now been scheduled, and extensive discovery and motion hearings have occurred. Here is a list of updates concerning the paraquat MDL.

July 2023 - Pending Lawsuits Exceed 4,000, First Bellwether Trial Set

With more than 350 new case filings in the past 30 days, the total number of lawsuits consolidated into this MDL has reached 4,083. The first Paraquat bellwether trial is currently scheduled for October 2023.

June 2023 - Defendants File Motion for Summary Judgment

In a joint motion for summary judgment, Chevron and Syngenta AG are asking the court to dismiss the more than 3,700 pending lawsuits. Defendants claim the plaintiffs have no peer-reviewed studies that link Paraquat to Parkingson's Disease. Without this important scientific evidence, the plaintiffs cannot prove the legal causation required to succeed at trial. Although we believe this motion has little chance of success, we are watching closely.

May 2023 - Validity of Some Plaintiffs' Filings Questions, New Case Filings Hit Another Record

Defendants are questioning some of the lawsuits filed by plaintiffs who may be deceased. The court is concerned about inaccurate complaints and sworn plaintiff questionnaires which may have been falsified by eager plaintiff's counsel. Plaintiffs' law firms must now certify the status of each plaintiff and explain how they are in contact with their clients.

More than 500 new cases were added to this MDL in the past 30 days, setting a new record. The Pennsylvania class action now contains 260 Paraquat lawsuits.

April 2023 - Pennsylvania Establishes a State Paraquat Class Action

The nationwide Paraquat MDL located in Illinois now involves 3,389 lawsuits. In the meantime, Pennsylvania has created its own class action with 264 pending cases.

March 2023 - Battle of the Experts and Cases Near 3,000

Counsel for both sides continue to challenge each other's expert testimony. Syngenta released documents that may indicate it knew about the dangers and potential health risks of Paraquat in the 1970s and formed an in-house task team to study the possible liability issues. With another month of near-record case filings, the Paraquat MDL now has 2,998 lawsuits on file.

February 2023 - Consulting Company Refuses to Release Documents

Exponent Inc., a consultant that worked with Syngenta regarding Paraquat's potential safety concerns, will not turn over internal documents in response to the plaintiffs' subpoena. The plaintiffs have filed a motion to compel this information and we suspect Exponent is resisting because it has key information that will prove damaging to the defendants. New case filings hit the highest monthly amount yet. There are now more than 2,600 pending lawsuits.

January 2023 — Paraquat Linked to Organ Damage and Acute Kidney Injury

A study released in December 2022 reveals serious kidney issues may be related to Paraquat exposure. Also, long-term exposure may be linked to chronic renal disease.

Hundreds of new Paraquat suits are being added to the consolidated MDL every month, bringing the total count of claims to over 2,300. Potential claimants can refer to the Southern District of Illinois' deadlines for more information about the current timeline over which the future motions anticipating the first paraquat lawsuit trial are expected to proceed.

October 1, 2022 — Paraquat Lawsuit Filings Exceed 1,900

There are presently over 1,900 lawsuits pending in the paraquat MDL. It appears that the largest group of cases is coming from California. However, this is a fast-growing mass tort, and lawsuits filed in the paraquat MDL have originated all over the nation.

September 6, 2022 — First Paraquat Exposure Lawsuit Trial Rescheduled

Paraquat MDL Judge Rosenstengal issued a Case Management Order resetting the date for the initial paraquat bellwether test trial. The initial trial was originally slated for mid-November of 2022. However, based on the number of lawsuits and how fast the paraquat MDL has grown, Judge RosenstengaL is seeking to expand the overall discovery pool.

We had hoped the defendants would begin making settlement overtures with a trial date looming in the very near future. However, this may ultimately prove to benefit this overall mass tort based on additional discovery to be conducted.

August 1, 2022 — Paraquat Lawsuit Filings Continue to Add Up

There are now 1162 paraquat plaintiffs in the paraquat MDL. This is one of the fastest-growing mass torts, with over 100 paraquat Parkinson’s disease lawsuits filed monthly.

June 1, 2022 — 6 Paraquat Lawsuit Bellwether Trials Named

Judge Rosenstengal has selected six paraquat lawsuits to serve as the initial bellwether trials, with the first slated for November 2022. We believe the defendants will begin looking to settle their cases as we get closer to the first paraquat trial. Further, we anticipate the paraquat defendants will act in concert towards a global mass settlement.

July 6, 2021 — Steering Committee Chosen For Paraquat Litigation

Sixteen lawyers have been selected by U.S. District Chief Judge Nancy Rosenstengal of the Southern District of Illinois to serve on the steering committee for paraquat. Eleven women and five men have been appointed to steer the initial 150-plus lawsuits filed in Federal Courts throughout the nation. These lawsuits allege that paraquat causes Parkinson’s Disease.

The three lead co-counsel are Khaldoun Baghdadi of Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger, Peter Flowers of Meyers & Flowers, and Sara Shoemake Doles of Carey Danis & Lowe.

The remainder of the steering committee of thirteen lawyers (not including the three lead counsels) are:

• Amy Eskin of Schneider Wallace Cottrell Konecky
• David Cates of Cates Mahoney
• Chad Finley of Tor Hoerman Law
• Marlene Goldenberg of Goldenberg Law
• Amanda Williamson of Heninger Garrison Davis
• Alicia O'Neil of Watts Guerra
• Aimee Wagstaff of Andrus Wagstaff
• Diandra Debrose Zimmerman of Dicello Levitt Gutzler
• Eric Kennedy of Weisman Kennedy & Berris
• Leslie LaMacchia of Pulaski Kherker
• Roopal Luhana of Chaffin Luhana
• Laruby May of Levin Papantonio, Rafferty, Proctor
• Julia Merritt of Beasley Allen

Judge Rosenstengal appointed Louisiana mediator Randi Ellis as Special Master over the paraquat lawsuit MDL.

There are presently 173 lawsuits filed in the paraquat MDL as of July 6, 2021.

Numerous paraquat lawsuits are expected to be filed in the coming months. Judge Rosenstengal has set the first paraquat-related Parkinson’s disease jury trial for November 15, 2022. We are presently investigating numerous claims of paraquat causing Parkinson’s disease.

The purpose of the paraquat MDL is consolidated handling of all future paraquat cases before a single federal judge instead of thousands of cases in numerous Federal circuits.

June 22, 2021 — First Paraquat Jury Trial Set

In the initial hearing, U.S. Judge Nancy Rosenstengel set the very first paraquat jury trial against Syngenta for November 15, 2022. We expect additional bellwether trial cases to be announced over the next eighteen months. There are presently 157 lawsuits pending in both Federal and state courts throughout the nation.

The defendants in these cases include Syngenta, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP, and Chevron USA, Inc, the primary paraquat manufacturers.

June 18, 2021 — Notice of Settlement Filed

A notice of settlement has been filed in California stating that 16 paraquat lawsuits filed in State Court have reached a settlement agreement.

June 7, 2021 —Multi-district Litigation (MDL) Created for Paraquat Claims

On June 7, 2021, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) created a new multidistrict litigation (MDL) for paraquat claims to be held in the Southern District of Illinois. U.S. District Chief Judge Nancy Rosenstengal was appointed by the six-Judge panel to oversee all paraquat litigation.

The Judges cited that Illinois is among the top five states in paraquat usage due to the prevalence of agricultural workers and is home to many similar lawsuits as reasons for their selection as the venue. Twenty-nine (29) paraquat Parkinson’s lawsuits were transferred into the new MDL and consolidated before Judge Rosenstengal. We expect hundreds of paraquat lawsuits to be filed over the next eighteen months.

At Dolman Law Group, we can help you determine what your legal options may be, including taking part in the national multi-district litigation that is currently pending. Call us today at 866-975-6242.  We are already investigating numerous potential cases in which the individual (often agricultural workers) has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease after continued exposure to paraquat.

Paraquat Lawsuit Settlement - Compensation in a Parkinson's Lawsuit

How Much Is My Paraquat Parkinson's Lawsuit Worth?

Our law firm will help you fight for justice and the compensation you are entitled to. By filing a paraquat lawsuit, you can hold negligent manufacturers accountable for their decisions to place profits over people. You can also obtain the money you need to help you pay for:

• Medical care
• Rehabilitation
• Therapies
• Long-term care costs
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment in life
• Punitive damages, if appropriate

It is difficult to determine how much your case might be worth without performing a case evaluation. However, you may stand to recover a substantial amount by filing a paraquat lawsuit. Our attorneys are here to answer your questions and help you obtain the maximum compensation.

Paraquat Lawsuit Settlement Projections

We believe the average paraquat settlement for victims of Parkinson’s disease will exceed $300,000.00 based on past mass tort projects. However, any projected estimate regarding Paraquat settlements is still premature, as discovery has recently expanded based on the first bellwether trial being pushed back.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and you believe paraquat exposure may be to blame, call us today at 866-975-6242. If you develop Parkinson’s disease based on diagnosis over the coming months and are currently exhibiting neurological issues, call us today for a free consultation.

Syngenta and Chevron Failed to Warn of Known Health Risks

The crux of the paraquat Parkinson’s disease lawsuit is the manufacturers (Syngenta and Chevron) failed to warn users of well-known health risks. In fact, the plaintiffs in every paraquat lawsuit we have reviewed allege the manufacturer(s) were aware of scientific evidence and research illustrating a causal link between the occupational use of paraquat herbicide and the heightened risk said individual will develop Parkinson’s disease.

A 2011 study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Services found that those with occupational exposure to paraquat were 2.5 times more like to develop Parkinson’s disease. Additional research has linked paraquat products to the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

Am I Eligible to File a Paraquat Lawsuit?

Without a full case evaluation with a paraquat lawyer, it is difficult to know whether you qualify to file a paraquat lawsuit. The best way to determine eligibility is to call our law firm immediately. We can meet with you in person, virtually, or in your home to better assist you. We want to answer your questions and learn more about your case. As a national law firm with decades of experience, we can help you file a paraquat lawsuit if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Do I Need to Prove I Was Exposed to Paraquat?

Believe it or not, proving your exposure to paraquat may be easier than you realize. If you worked on an industrial farm or lived near one, this is often enough to establish a cause. However, gathering the necessary evidence to win your case is difficult without the help of an experienced paraquat lawsuit attorney. We want you to focus on your health and your loved ones during this time. Let us investigate the farm, the pesticides they used, and the exposure of others in the community. We know how to build a case from the ground up and can work quickly to help you establish your claim.

How Is Paraquat Linked to Parkinson's Disease?

Paraquat is highly poisonous, and its ingestion or absorption can immediately lead to severe illness and even death. In addition, it’s also considered an environmental risk factor for Parkinson’s Disease. The United States Environmental Protection Agency classifies paraquat as “restricted use,” and licensed individuals can only use it. However, even for licensed users in hazmat suits, paraquat exceeds the reasonable risks of danger that manufacturers have not adequately disclosed for decades.

A 2019 article in Environmental Health uncovered that paraquat is one of only two herbicides still being used by the U.S. We anticipate the EPA will issue a total paraquat ban within the next year.

Paraquat increases the overall risk of Parkinson’s disease by increasing oxidative stress within the human body. Scientists theorize that heightened levels of oxidative stress kill off dopamine-producing neurons. The loss of neurons that produce dopamine is widely believed to be the cause of Parkinson’s disease.

In 1997, the EPA disclosed that exposure to paraquat weed killer during the mixing, loading, or application process was dangerous and should not be used on residential properties. They also suggested that homes near industrial farms were at risk for toxic exposure.

Since the 2000s, studies have shown the link between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease. However, the use of paraquat continues and is even increasing as a result of the increase in glyphosate-resistant weeds. In 2009, a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology linked exposure to paraquat with a 75 percent increased risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease.

In 2011, a new study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives showed concern that paraquat exposure was strongly linked to Parkinson’s Disease cases. Furthermore, the authors of the study became increasingly worried that the potential exposure to paraquat toxins reached far beyond occupational and agricultural exposure. They stated that many people may have suffered exposure to paraquat without their knowledge.

In 2017, the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council sent a letter to the EPA listing their concerns regarding paraquat and Parkinson’s disease development. They urged the EPA to deny Paraquat’s registration. According to this letter, they believed the economic costs to each person equated to $26,400 per year.