Paraquat Lawsuit

Paraquat dichloride is a toxic chemical that kills plants. It has been in use as a herbicide in the U.S. since 1964. In the decades since then, it has been sold and widely used for controlling weeds and invasive grasses. Cotton, corn, soybeans and vineyard grapes are among the crops where farmers and farm crews use it to deter weeds and grasses. Gramoxone, Firestorm, Helmquat, Parazone and other spray herbicides incorporate paraquat as a key ingredient.

Chevron, FMC Corporation and Syngenta are associated with the original companies that created and distributed the herbicide. They also distributed, marketed and manufactured the drug in the U.S. Other companies with paraquat products include:

• ADAMA Group
• Altitude Crop Innovations
• Drexel Chemical Company
• HELM Agro
• Innvictis®
• Sinon® USA
• UPL

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies paraquat as a restricted use product. It is not available to the general public. The EPA requires certification and paraquat-specific training for people to use the herbicide. 

How does paraquat work?

Paraquat kills plants by disrupting cellular functions they need to survive. It penetrates the plant's skin and causes a chemical reaction that hinders photosynthesis and damages the plant’s cells. Paraquat also contains surfactants, which are chemicals that help paraquat stick to plants so it can be more easily absorbed.

Paraquat is also a danger to animal cells. It disrupts cellular respiration in human and animal cells. Plaintiffs claim Syngenta knew that paraquat:

• Can be absorbed through the skin
• Is toxic to the human nervous system

People are filing paraquat lawsuits to seek compensation for their and their loved ones’ injuries. Those who were injured by paraquat file personal injury lawsuits. Others who had a loved one pass away because of paraquat injuries file wrongful death lawsuits.

Some of the paraquat lawsuits also include claims from victims’ spouses. These lawsuits claim Loss of Consortium. This legal term describes the losses a family or spouse may experience because of the victim's injuries. State court cases are pending in California, Delaware, Illinois, Florida, Pennsylvania and Washington. State courts may also merge paraquat cases, as the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia did. Multiple consolidated Delaware state court paraquat cases are also proceeding.

An ongoing multidistrict litigation (MDL) docket consolidates claims filed in federal court.

“People who used and were exposed to paraquat had no idea about the dangers of paraquat because the manufacturers and distributors failed to warn them. These hard-working farmers, workers and individuals had a right to know so they could have potentially avoided exposure to this highly toxic herbicide. It is an honor to represent these individuals and their families and pursue justice on their behalf,” said Fidelma Fitzpatrick, a trial attorney with Motley Rice LLC who represents hundreds of clients in filed paraquat cases.

Who is being sued in the Philadelphia paraquat cases?

People who have developed Parkinson’s disease after being exposed to paraquat are filing lawsuits against paraquat manufacturers and distributors, including:

• Syngenta: Headquartered in Switzerland, Syngenta is the modern face of the original designers of paraquat, Imperial Chemical Industries. It is responsible for selling, promoting and marketing paraquat. It has an agreement with Chevron to help manufacture and sell paraquat in the United States. Various subsidiaries and Syngenta Group companies, including Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, may also be named in lawsuits.
• Chevron: Incorporated in Pennsylvania, Chevron is the successor to the California Chemical Company, Ortho Division. The California Chemical Company was the original business to partner with Syngenta to manufacture and distribute paraquat in the United States.
• FMC Corporation: Incorporated in Delaware and operating primarily out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, FMC is one of the largest distributors of paraquat in the United States.

To qualify for a paraquat lawsuit, you must have been exposed to paraquat and suffered injuries that came from that exposure. If you believe you’ve been harmed by paraquat exposure, seek medical treatment. You can also consider speaking to a lawyer with experience in toxic exposure claims to evaluate your legal options.

To be eligible to file a lawsuit, you’ll need to show or testify that: 

• You were exposed to the herbicide paraquat and not another herbicide
• Your exposure occurred after paraquat became fully available on the market in 1966
• Your exposure is consistent with the instructed use of the herbicide. In most agricultural and landscaping settings, paraquat was only applied a few times each year. Current guidance recommends applying the herbicide annually. 

If you’re having health problems as a result of exposure to a toxic herbicide or weedkiller other than paraquat, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer. Roundup and dacthal have also been connected to human health issues. Your toxic exposure attorney can review your case and help you understand your options.

Paraquat plaintiff profiles

People who have developed Parkinson's disease after exposure to paraquat may be eligible to sue. Individuals who have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers and distributors of paraquat (Syngenta, Chevron and FMC Corporation) include:

• A California man used paraquat on his citrus farms for decades, beginning in the late 1960s. He purchased, mixed, loaded and sprayed paraquat via hand sprayers and tractors each year to control vegetation and protect his crops. He was forced to retire after he began having neurological symptoms. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 73. He suffers from tremors, inability to care for himself, delusions/hallucinations, difficulty moving and walking and loss of balance.
• A North Carolina man used paraquat from the late 1980s to the late 1990s while working for a utility company. During his work, he sprayed paraquat on power lines, roads and rights of way to clear vegetation. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 66. He suffers from tremors, drooling, constipation, fatigue, falls, hallucinations, cognitive decline and mobility issues. He is currently in a healthcare facility as he is unable to care for himself.
• A Pennsylvania man was exposed to paraquat while working on a farm in the 1970s and 1980s. The farm grew many crops, including corn, wheat and oats. He was exposed to paraquat while it was mixed, loaded and sprayed on the farm. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 43 and has cognitive changes, decreased memory, dizziness, hunched posture, reduced facial expression, tremors, soft speech and urinary incontinence.

These are just a few of the people who have developed Parkinson’s after exposure to paraquat. They represent thousands of people who have had similar experiences.
 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that paraquat exposure is dangerous and can cause serious health effects. If someone eats or breathes the chemical or has skin contact with it, the health consequences can be serious. Plaintiffs argue there is strong evidence that links the herbicide to a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Paraquat is extremely toxic and the side effects of contact can be life-threatening. Paraquat activates oxidative stress, which affects cells, including changing their structure and function. Over time, those changes can cause extensive cell damage.

Paraquat exposure can lead to many types of health effects. As with Parkinson’s disease, paraquat poisoning may have life-threatening impacts on people.

Paraquat poisoning symptoms

Symptoms related to paraquat poisoning include:

• Immediate signs of paraquat ingestion: Pain and swelling in mouth and throat, followed by gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, pain and diarrhea
• Health effects from ingesting small to medium amounts of paraquat: Development (within several days to several weeks) of heart failure, kidney failure, liver failure or lung scarring
• Health effects from ingesting large amounts of paraquat: Development (within a few hours to a few days) of severe health effects, possibly leading to seizures or even death
• Long-term health effects: Parkinson’s disease and related neurological issues

If you or a loved one shows signs of sickness after paraquat exposure, seek immediate medical care.

Parkinson’s disease symptoms

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder. It affects parts of the nervous system that control movement. It also interferes with the part of the brain that generates dopamine. Primary symptoms include:

• Poor balance
• Slow voluntary movement and reflexes
• Stiffness and resistance to passive movement
• Tremors

Secondary symptoms can also appear as:

• Brief and sudden inability to walk
• Difficulty swallowing
• Diminished facial expression
• Drooling or excess saliva
• Shrinking handwriting
• Slurred, monotonous speech
• Stooped posture

Paraquat and Parkinson’s disease

Many studies link long-term paraquat exposure to Parkinson’s disease. These consistent findings suggest that paraquat use increases the risk of Parkinson’s.

If you or a loved one experiences possible Parkinson’s disease symptoms, see your doctor immediately.

After you have sought medical care, a paraquat lawyer can help explain your paraquat legal options. The options may include filing a personal injury lawsuit of your own. Product liability lawsuits seek to hold the manufacturers and distributors of paraquat accountable. Although there is never a guarantee, lawsuits may result in a settlement or verdict award.

Resources for Parkinson’s disease diagnosis and treatment

If you suspect that you may have symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, please contact your primary healthcare provider. You can also learn more about diagnosis and treatment of the disease from these organizations:

• American Parkinson Disease Association
• Johns Hopkins Medicine
• Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
• Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center
• Parkinson’s Foundation
   

Scientific evidence has long shown strong links between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease.

• 1997: A study of Taiwanese individuals with and without Parkinson’s disease found a greater prevalence of Parkinson’s in people who had used paraquat than those without exposure. The study found no significant difference between the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s and occupational exposure to chemicals or heavy metals and minerals.
• 2002: A study on mice found that exposure to paraquat was linked with selective dopaminergic degeneration in the subjects’ brains. This selective dopaminergic degeneration is a typical sign of Parkinson’s disease.
• 2005: A study on mice found that repeated exposure to paraquat could start the process of destroying nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, a feature of Parkinson’s disease. The study saw mice begin to show signs of neuron loss following the second dosage of paraquat.
• 2009: A study using California Pesticide Use Reports and land-use maps showed evidence that paraquat exposure increases the risk of contracting Parkinson’s disease. The risk is even greater for younger people. The risks increase if the person is exposed to both paraquat and a fungicide known as maneb.
• 2011: Using a sample of agricultural workers from the Agricultural Health Study, one study explored the effects of pesticides that increase oxidative stress and inhibit mitochondrial complex I. Researchers evaluated 110 people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and 358 control subjects. The study’s analysis found a statistically significant link between Parkinson’s disease and both types of pesticides. Paraquat impacts the human body in the same way as both types of pesticide groups
• 2019: A systematic review of more than a dozen studies found a consistent, statistically significant pattern linking paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease.
• 2024: A study of three agricultural regions in California found that proximity to residential and commercial use of paraquat was associated with an increased likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease

These studies, along with others, consistently point to the increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease after paraquat exposure. Studies like this show why so many countries have banned the use of paraquat.

Dozens of countries have banned paraquat, including the European Union (EU) and China. Kuwait first banned it in 1985. 

Despite many countries having acted already, paraquat is not yet banned in the U.S.

Here is a partial list of countries that have either banned or severely restricted the use of paraquat and the year the country banned it.

Is paraquat banned in the US?

The U.S. has not yet banned paraquat despite the evidence of harm. The EPA has suggested some restrictions on paraquat use.

Proposed EPA safety measures for paraquat

In October 2020, the EPA proposed new safety measures to “better protect human health and the environment.” An interim decision was released in July 2021. Measures outlined by the EPA include, but are not limited to: 

• Limiting aerial application acreage for all uses and use sites, except cotton desiccation.
• Prohibiting certain applicators, including pressurized handguns and backpack sprayers.
• Requiring enclosed cabs on sprayer vehicles if the area is treated in a 24-hour period and exceeds 80 acres. (Areas less than 80 acres should be treated from an enclosed cab or with users wearing PF10 respirators.)
• Requiring a residential area drift buffer.
• Prohibiting the use of human flaggers near and around application sites.

People most at risk for paraquat exposure include agricultural workers, their families and people who live near farms.
 

Thousands of impacted people and their families have filed lawsuits against Syngenta, Chevron, FMC and other parties responsible for manufacturing and distributing paraquat. These lawsuits have been filed in both state and federal courts.

As of April 2025, there were:

• 1,163 plaintiffs in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas cases
• 5,911 actions pending in the federal MDL

Paraquat state litigation

Judge Joshua Roberts oversees the lawsuits filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The court has issued an order setting the first bellwether trial for June 2025.

Motley Rice attorney Fidelma Fitzpatrick is co-lead counsel and a member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee (PEC) for the Pennsylvania mass tort. Mike Daly, of our Philadelphia office, is liaison counsel for the Pennsylvania mass tort. Several other Motley Rice attorneys also represent plaintiffs.

In January 2024, Judge Roberts denied defendants’ multiple preliminary objections arguments to the initial pleadings. Case-specific discovery has concluded and the first set of bellwether candidates are currently being selected for 2025 trials. Four cases will be selected to go to trial in 2025 with the first trial beginning in June 2025.

Cases have also been filed in state courts in:

• California
• Delaware
• Florida
• Illinois
• Washington 

Paraquat federal multidistrict litigation (MDL)

A federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) docket related to paraquat is in the Southern District of Illinois. An MDL docket allows federal lawsuits with similar details and defendants to be decided by the same court. MDLs can help expedite the legal process.  

The paraquat MDL, called In re: Paraquat Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3004, was established in 2021. Motley Rice is not involved in the federal MDL. Motley Rice paraquat lawyers have filed cases in Pennsylvania state court. 

How do you prove paraquat exposure?

Proving paraquat exposure will depend on how you may have been exposed but may include affidavits, testimony and physical records. For example, agricultural workers and landscapers may have business receipts or employment records that can help show exposure. A paraquat attorney can help you gather evidence of paraquat exposure.

Is there a paraquat class action lawsuit?

No, there’s no paraquat class action lawsuit. However, large, consolidated litigations are ongoing in state and federal court. A state court docket in Philadelphia is proceeding well. More than 1,000 plaintiffs have filed suit against chemical companies in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas for paraquat exposure. Motley Rice is working closely with this litigation and accepting new plaintiff filings.

A federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) docket had 5,825 plaintiffs as of January 2, 2025. Motley Rice attorneys aren’t currently representing plaintiffs in the MDL. 

How much is the average paraquat lawsuit settlement amount?

Most paraquat Parkinson’s disease lawsuits are still in early stages and have not yet reached settlements. While a settlement is not guranteed, Syngenta’s financial records show some payouts have already happened.

What types of damages are available in a paraquat lawsuit?

Plaintiffs in paraquat lawsuits are alleging economic and non-economic damages for their injuries. As part of their lawsuits, plaintiffs are requesting relief for the harm they’ve suffered, such as: 

• Legal costs for pursuing the actions
• Loss of consortium
• Medical expenses and other related costs
• Mental and physical suffering
• Punitive damages

While the specific claims may vary, the types of damages seen across paraquat litigation include: 

• Breach of implied warranty of merchantability
• Negligence
• Public nuisance
• Punitive damages
• Strict liability (design defect and failure to warn)
• Violation of consumer fraud and deceptive business practices acts

The damages available to individual plaintiffs depend on the facts of their case. It can help to speak with an attorney with experience handling toxic exposure claims to explore your legal options.

When will the paraquat lawsuit be settled? 

Bellwether trials, which are considered test trials, are scheduled to begin in June 2025. Even after those cases settle or return a verdict, there will still be thousands of pending cases in state and federal courts. Some mass torts take years to settle all related cases, if a settlement is reached. 
 

Motley Rice attorneys have extensive experience litigating toxic exposure and environmental damage cases for individuals, families, communities and states. Through our cases, we seek justice for our clients and improved environmental standards and protections. 

Our experience includes representing people who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after being exposed to Roundup weed killer. The firm also obtained a landmark settlement for 10 cities and counties in California that alleged three lead pigment companies exposed residents to toxic lead paint. 

Read more on our toxic exposure experience.