Paraquat Lawsuit

If you were exposed to the herbicide paraquat and later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, you may qualify for compensation from a paraquat lawsuit. Money recovered in a paraquat settlement can help pay for your medical bills and other expenses. Find out if an attorney may be able to help you file a paraquat lawsuit and fight for the justice you deserve.

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By filing a product liability lawsuit, you can pursue financial compensation and justice from the companies that caused you or a loved one harm.

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Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: LawFirm.com

Last updated: Sep 09, 2024

What Is Paraquat?

Paraquat is a highly poisonous chemical commonly used across the United States as an herbicide to kill weeds and grass. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) categorizes paraquat products as “Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs),” which means only certified applicators can apply it.

A farmer uses a tractor to spray a field with paraquat

Farmers and other people who work in the agricultural industry are most likely to be exposed to paraquat.

Paraquat, also known as paraquat dichloride, is not a new herbicide. It has been around for more than 60 years.

Did you know?

Although more than 30 countries have banned Paraquat because of how dangerous it is — just a sip can be fatal — it is still widely used in the United States.

The EPA reapproved paraquat in 2020, which means it is scheduled for use until 2035.

U.S. farmers use more than 8 million pounds of paraquat each year on corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and other crops.

Paraquat & Parkinson’s Disease

Scientists have published research showing a link between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease.

A National Institutes of Health study found that people who used paraquat developed Parkinson’s disease 2.5 times more often than those who did not use the chemical.

The Parkinson’s Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and some environmental health groups have urged the EPA to cancel the registration of paraquat based on research connecting the herbicide to Parkinson’s disease.

If you or a loved one was exposed to paraquat and later developed Parkinson’s disease, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit. Contact our team now to see if we can connect you with a top paraquat lawyer.

How Does Paraquat Poisoning Happen?

Paraquat poisoning can cause severe injury and even death.

A study published in Toxicological Sciences concluded that paraquat can travel to the brain when inhaled. The researchers found that long-term exposure to low levels of paraquat in mice caused the toxin to enter the brain and affect the sense of smell in male mice. A reduced sense of smell is an early sign of Parkinson’s disease.

People can end up with paraquat poisoning by:

Inhaling paraquat
Skin exposure (especially through a cut or rash)
Swallowing paraquat
Touching plants sprayed with paraquat

Paraquat typically contains a blue dye, an odor additive to discourage people from drinking it, and a vomiting agent if ingested.

If you have swallowed paraquat, get immediate medical attention. Doctors often use activated charcoal or a clay called Fuller’s earth to treat ingestion of paraquat.

Once paraquat enters the body, the herbicide causes toxic chemical reactions. Organs most likely to be affected by paraquat poisoning are the kidneys, liver, and lungs.

What Products Contain Paraquat?

A farm worker sprays a plant with paraquat

The use of paraquat is common on commercial farms in the U.S.

You need a special license to apply paraquat. That means you will not find it on the shelves of your local home improvement store with Roundup and other popular weed killers.

Paraquat formulations are sold under different trade names. The most popular one is Gramoxone SL 2.0 Herbicide.

Some paraquat trade names include:

Blanco
Devour
Firestorm
Gramoxone
Helmquat
Ortho-Paraquat
Para-SHOT
Parazone
Quick-Quat

Different companies manufacture paraquat. Syngenta, Growmark, and Chevron are some companies that people have sued in paraquat lawsuits.

If you worked with or near these chemicals and have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, call our team at LawFirm.com at (888) 726-9160 to learn whether you may qualify for a paraquat lawsuit.

Paraquat Poisoning Symptoms

Even brief exposure to paraquat can lead to paraquat poisoning. However, prolonged exposure or exposure to large amounts is more likely to cause severe injury or death.

Immediate paraquat exposure side effects include:

Abdominal pain
Breathing problems
Confusion
Coma
Dehydration
Diarrhea
Fast heart rate
Low blood pressure
Mouth and throat pain and swelling
Muscle weakness
Nausea
Seizures
Vomiting

If a person survives an incident of paraquat poisoning, they may be at risk for developing Parkinson’s disease, respiratory failure, and other serious long-term health problems.

Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that gets worse over time. While people with the disease have tremors and movement-related symptoms, many also experience other symptoms.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can include:

Anxiety
Balance problems
Cognitive impairment
Constipation
Depression
Digestive problems
Incontinence
Insomnia
Loss of sense of smell
Slowness in movement (bradykinesia)
Stiffness
Tremor

Non-movement symptoms may begin before movement-related symptoms may be more of a problem than movement symptoms.

While there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease at this time, compensation from a paraquat lawsuit can help pay for medical bills, therapy, in-home care, and more.

How Can a Paraquat Lawsuit Lawyer Help Me?

The dangers of paraquat have been known for decades. However, companies kept manufacturing the chemical. This placed agricultural workers on industrial farms most at risk.

If you have Parkinson’s disease because of paraquat exposure, a paraquat attorney may be able to help.

A paraquat attorney can:

Link your paraquat exposure to Parkinson’s disease
Hold the company responsible for your illness accountable
Seek compensation for medical bills and other expenses
Handle every step of the lawsuit process on your behalf

Toxic exposure cases are complicated, but experienced paraquat lawsuit attorneys have the resources to stand up to powerful companies and secure the maximum compensation possible for your family.

Filing a Paraquat Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit

Paraquat lawsuits allow people exposed to paraquat and later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease to seek legal justice and compensation.

People who worked with or around paraquat — likely on a commercial farm — are most likely to have been affected.

“Licensed applicators of paraquat are the people most at risk for exposure.”
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Paraquat lawsuits are a type of product liability lawsuit. When companies place dangerous products like paraquat on the market, a paraquat lawsuit can force them to take responsibility for harming innocent people.

Paraquat lawsuits allege that the companies that made this toxic herbicide failed to warn that it caused Parkinson’s disease. Thousands of claims have been filed against the chemical companies that manufacture paraquat.

If you are wondering whether you or someone you love qualifies for a paraquat lawsuit, our team at LawFirm.com can help. Contact us now for a free case evaluation.

Paraquat Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

A settlement is an agreement that is reached when a plaintiff and defendant determine a fair value for the plaintiff’s injuries.

The amount of a potential paraquat settlement is likely to depend on the severity of the injury, the age of the person when exposed, and the amount of exposure.

Paraquat maker Syngenta settled an undisclosed number of lawsuits in June 2021 for almost $200 million, according to Reuters.

One law firm has predicted that some paraquat lawsuits could settle for as much as $1 million each.

A paraquat lawsuit lawyer may be able to give you an idea about how much your potential settlement may be worth.

Proving Exposure to Paraquat

Once it is determined that you have a valid paraquat claim, a personal injury lawyer can start gathering evidence to prove that paraquat caused your Parkinson’s disease.

Your legal team has the tools to perform extensive research to collect evidence to strengthen your claim.

Evidence that can prove that paraquat caused your Parkinson’s disease includes:

Documents showing that a nearby farm used or applied paraquat
Expert testimony by scientists and others with specialized knowledge
Eyewitness testimony
Medical records
Photos or videos showing paraquat application
Purchase receipts for paraquat
Records showing you were a licensed paraquat applicator

Occupational Risk Factors

People most likely to be exposed to paraquat are:

Licensed paraquat applicators (including people who worked for pest control or crop dusting companies)
Farmers, agricultural workers, farm laborers, and landscapers
Chemical workers who worked with or around paraquat

It is important to note that you do not need direct contact with paraquat to experience paraquat exposure. People who worked around paraquat may have inhaled the toxic herbicide.

Geographical Use

A 2018 map by the U.S. Geological Study shows that farmers use paraquat in all 50 states. However, some states use paraquat more than others.

Paraquat use is exceptionally high in these states:

Arkansas
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Missouri
North Dakota
Ohio
South Dakota

Call (888) 726-9160 now if you worked with or near paraquat and have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. We may be able to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Find a Paraquat Lawsuit Attorney Near You

At LawFirm.com, we’ve partnered with paraquat lawsuit attorneys who can help families in all 50 states take legal action after a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

The paraquat lawyers in our network have:

No upfront costs or hourly fees
Decades of experience holding powerful corporations accountable
Over $9.6 billion in past results for families nationwide

There’s only a limited amount of time to file a paraquat lawsuit. It’s important to act fast so you don’t miss your chance for justice.

Get a free case review now to see if we may be able to connect you with a top attorney who can fight for the compensation you deserve.

Paraquat Lawsuit FAQs

Who qualifies for a paraquat lawsuit?

Anyone who was exposed to paraquat and later developed Parkinson’s disease may qualify for compensation from a paraquat lawsuit.

Not sure if you qualify? Call (888) 726-9160 now to find out during a free case review.

What is the average settlement for paraquat?

It’s difficult to determine an average settlement for paraquat lawsuits, as each case is different.

Paraquat settlement amounts may depend on:

How often you were exposed to paraquat
The severity of your Parkinson’s disease
Any medical bills or expenses related to your illness

The attorneys in our network can fight for the maximum compensation available in your case.

Get a free case review now to see if we can connect you with a top paraquat lawyer.

Does Roundup have paraquat?

No, Roundup doesn’t contain paraquat. The active ingredient in the weed killer Roundup is glyphosate.

Researchers have not linked Roundup to Parkinson’s disease. However, scientists have connected it to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and certain other cancers.

In 2020, Roundup maker Bayer AG settled thousands of toxic exposure suits for $11 billion. Many legal experts are looking to the Roundup cases to predict settlement amounts in paraquat lawsuits.

How do you know if you were exposed to paraquat?

People exposed to paraquat probably worked with or around the herbicide — usually on commercial farms that grew crops sprayed with the deadly chemical.

Symptoms of paraquat exposure include various gastrointestinal symptoms, confusion, and seizures.

Studies have shown that individuals exposed to paraquat face a greater risk of Parkinson’s disease. People with this brain disorder experience tremors and other problems with movement and often have depression and anxiety.

How does paraquat cause Parkinson’s?

When a person inhales paraquat fumes or gets paraquat on the skin, the herbicide spreads throughout the body. It’s distributed to vital organs like the lungs, liver, and kidneys and causes toxic chemical reactions throughout the body.

Additionally, studies have shown that once inhaled, paraquat enters the brain through the nerve responsible for the sense of smell.

A recent study found that male mice exposed to low levels of paraquat in the air had an altered sense of smell in a way that is similar to the onset of Parkinson’s disease in humans.

Is there a paraquat class action lawsuit?

Hundreds of paraquat lawsuits have been consolidated in multidistrict litigation (MDL), which is similar to a class action lawsuit.

Paraquat lawsuits alleging that the herbicide causes Parkinson’s disease have been consolidated in a federal court in Illinois.