Paraquat Lawsuit Settlement: What to Know

Key Takeaways

This article will give you more information about Paraquat claims. Key points are:

• The Paraquat cases allege that long-term exposure to this herbicide increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
• Paraquat is a potentially toxic chemical compound used in herbicides that may damage cells and is linked to the development of Parkinson’s.
• Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, balance, and coordination.
• You may qualify to join the Paraquat class action lawsuit if you provide evidence of exposure to the chemical and a diagnosis of Parkinson’s or any other neurological disorder.
• A bellwether trial is scheduled for October 2023 to determine how future Paraquat claims should be evaluated and what kind of settlement you may be entitled to.

What Are the Paraquat Lawsuits?

Paraquat lawsuits refer to legal actions taken against the manufacturers of Paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide, due to its alleged association with Parkinson’s disease. Paraquat has been used for decades as an agricultural weed killer. It has been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease in those exposed.

The lawsuits claim that the manufacturers of Paraquat should have known about the risks associated with exposure to the herbicide but failed to provide adequate warnings or take appropriate measures to protect consumers.

In 2016, a legal battle began when Miller & Zois filed complaints against Syngenta Crop Protection on behalf of numerous plaintiffs, who claimed that using Paraquat caused them to develop Parkinson’s Disease. Chevron Phillips Chemical Company and Growmark Inc were also named in the suit, which was brought before St. Clair County court in the Southern District of Illinois.

From there, more lawsuits have popped up, including Doug Holiday, who filed a class action lawsuit in May 2021. There’s also Ellis Pratt and Robin Adams, who have filed individual Paraquat lawsuits for their development of renal disease and Parkinson’s Disease, respectively.

Over 2,352 Paraquat lawsuits are pending in federal and state courts. And the number of claims in the Paraquat class action lawsuit is expected to grow.

What Is Paraquat, and What Are the Effects?

Paraquat is an herbicide used for weed control, manufactured and sold by a variety of companies around the world. It’s a non-selective pesticide that kills any plants it touches – both weeds and potentially crops – so great care must be taken when using it.

In addition to being deadly to plants, Paraquat can have devastating side effects on humans through inhalation or ingestion. Paraquat has been in use since as early as 1961. However, its use has become controversial in recent years due to evidence that suggests it may increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological disorders.

Studies have also linked Paraquat exposure to respiratory problems, kidney damage (e.g., Ellis Pratt mentioned earlier), heart failure, and even death. When exposed to Paraquat poisoning, symptoms can manifest within minutes or hours, depending on the concentration of Paraquat present and the person’s health status. Going further, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

“Paraquat is highly toxic. One small sip can be fatal and there is no antidote.”

Depending on the level of exposure and subsequent medical intervention, these effects can range from mild to life-threatening. Given its potential for serious health risks, worldwide governments and even the European Union are taking steps to reduce or ban Paraquat’s use.

What Do We Know About the Link Between Paraquat and Parkinsons?

Plaintiffs in Paraquat lawsuits allege that long-term exposure to this herbicide increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Experts also believe there is a connection between Paraquat and Parkinson’s:

“Many herbicides, for example, including the well-known Paraquat, may have a similar chemical mode of action. In susceptible individuals, such products could initiate the process of cell degeneration found in Parkinson’s disease.”

Studies also suggest that Paraquat could be responsible for triggering oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in humans – two factors commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease onset. Even rodents exposed to this chemical compound show symptoms similar in nature to those observed among human sufferers of the condition.

As such, since Paraquat is shown to potentially increase the risk of Parkinson’s, those who work with or have been exposed to this chemical are encouraged to speak with a specialist about their potential risk of contracting the disease.

What Is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder affecting movement, balance, and coordination. Symptoms of PD include trembling or shaking, slowed movements, stiffness or rigidity of the limbs, impaired postural balance, and difficulty walking.

The condition’s cause is still unknown, but we know it is related to the death of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. This loss of dopamine leads to an inability to control movement and other functions. 

Estimates suggest that about 1 million people in the U.S. live with Parkinson’s. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Parkinson’s. However, medications and lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms and slow the condition’s progression.

Who Can File a Paraquat Lawsuit?

There are two general conditions required to participate in a Paraquat lawsuit. The first is that you must have been exposed to the chemical compound and can provide evidence of this exposure. Typically, agricultural workers are the primary victims. Second, you must have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s or any other neurological disorder associated with Paraquat exposure.

If you meet these two criteria, you may be eligible to join the Paraquat class action lawsuit. You’ll need an experienced Paraquat lawyer to review your case and advise you on the best action. A pre-settlement loan can help support your legal battle. This will help manage your expenses (e.g., medical bills) until you get financial compensation from your lawsuit.

What Is the Typical Settlement for a Paraquat Lawsuit?

Unfortunately, it’s too early to tell the typical settlement for a Paraquat lawsuit, despite 2,352 mass tort cases pending in state and federal courts.

However, according to a recent Paraquat lawsuit update, Judge Nancy Rosenstengel set October 2023 as the new date for a critical Paraquat bellwether test trial in a federal Multidistrict Litigation. This trial will help to determine how future verdicts may be evaluated and what type of payout is possible.

Does LawsuitLoans.io Provide Funding for Paraquat Claims?

A lawsuit loan can be a great financial tool for plaintiffs involved in lengthy lawsuits. Unfortunately, LawsuitLoans.io does not provide funding for Paraquat claims unless the plaintiff has received an individual offer to settle from the defense. 

Once the defense makes individual offers to settle on a class action claim, it may still take months for plaintiffs to be compensated. LawsuitLoans.io may be able to help bridge the gap between your settlement offer and compensation.

If you have already received an offer to settle your case and you are interested in funding, apply with us online or give us a call at (866) 594-1343