The paraquat lawsuit concerns a popular herbicide used since the 1950s and its association with Parkinson’s Disease. Plaintiffs from these cases argued that paraquat exposure can increase the risk of cognitive diseases.
They also claimed that the manufacturer, Syngenta, failed to provide adequate warnings about the product’s risks.
Consequently, these paraquat lawsuits are being consolidated in the Southern District of Illinois in the Multi-district Litigation (MDL) 3004. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease after a paraquat exposure, you could claim financial compensation from its manufacturers. Contact legal help and check if your case qualifies.
Why did the Paraquat Lawsuit begin in the United States?
Farmers started to file lawsuits after several scientific studies revealed the potential link between paraquat and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease.
The first paraquat lawsuit was filed in Missouri in 2017. The lawsuit named both Syngenta and Growmark as companies involved in productions containing paraquat.
Hence, a paraquat MDL has been established, resulting in the consolidation of all Parkinson’s Disease lawsuits in federal court under a single judge in MDL.
What are the latest updates in the paraquat litigation?
As of March 2023, the paraquat class action has increased by 277 in the past 30 days, making it the second consecutive month with above-average new case totals. Thus, the total number of pending cases in the paraquat class action’s MDL has risen to 2,998.
The defendants are also trying to discredit the plaintiffs’ expert witnesses as the date for the bellwether trials is coming closer. This way, Syngenta made a claim stating that the experts are selecting specific studies that would support their conclusion.
What are the potential risks of paraquat exposure?
Direct paraquat dichloride exposure can cause serious health risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has listed its association with poisoning and an increased risk of Parkinson’s Disease, along with the following potential signs and symptoms:
- Chemical burns in and around the mouth and nose
- Shortness of breath and lung scarring
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Loss of consciousness/coma
- Long-term effects depending on the exposure level, including:
- Heart, kidney, and liver failure
- Esophageal scarring
- Permanent lung damage
- Death
Who are the paraquat defendants?
The biggest parties involved in the paraquat MDL are Syngenta and Chevron USA. Both companies are responsible for the production and distribution of Gramoxone, which is a toxic herbicide and one of the paraquat-based products. These were used in industrial farms across the country.
Other defendants also include but are not limited to Mitsui and Co. Ltd., Chevron Phosphates Inc., and Dow AgroSciences LLC.
Who is eligible for a paraquat lawsuit?
Those who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, or have one of the following symptoms related to a nervous system disorder may take legal action after long-term paraquat exposure:
- Tremors/trembling
- Balance impairment
- Sleep Disorders (early awakenings or sleep disturbances)
- Rigidity
- Bradykinesia (slowness of movement, slow gait, and shuffling)
- Difficulty speaking (or soft speaking)
- Reduced facial expression (blank stare)
- Spasms
- Decreased range of motion (ROM)
- Micrographia (small handwriting)
- Difficulty swallowing
- Drooling
- Paralysis
Proof of the exposure will be necessary to make a stronger paraquat claim. This can particularly be the case for landscapers, pickers, farmers, growers, and people who lived close to commercial farms who were indirectly harmed by these toxic chemicals.
If you are unsure about your paraquat lawsuit eligibility, remember that you can get free legal advice and verify the strength of your case and the possibility of financial compensation.
How much does Parkinson’s Disease cost?
A recent study made by organizations for Parkinson’s revealed an approximately $52 billion cost of this cognitive disease in the United States with the following:
- Medical costs totaled $25.4 billion for hospital stays and medication.
- Nonmedical costs totaled $26.5 billion for work absences, lost income, and family caregiver responsibilities.
- $25 billion from Medicare and social security combined.
What evidence do I need for compensation?
Providing evidence for the following four essential components is necessary to seek compensation from a paraquat manufacturer: paraquat exposure, Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis, other potential factor elimination, and resulting damage.
You can obtain employment documents and medical records for your personal injury case with the help of an experienced attorney.
What is the statute of limitations for taking legal action against a paraquat manufacturer?
The statute of limitations for paraquat lawsuits varies based on the state of residence and can range from 1 to 6 years.
You should be aware of the different deadlines if you are thinking about filing a paraquat lawsuit and joining the MDL. Prompt action is required before it concludes while filing an individual case requires taking action before the statute of limitations runs out. It is best to contact paraquat lawyers if you choose to go one way or another.
Is there a paraquat lawsuit settlement?
The litigation process is still ongoing, and no settlements have been announced yet.
However, a settlement will most likely resemble other mass tort agreements, such as those in other pesticide and herbicide cases, including Roundup and Agent Orange.
Typically, these involve compensation for medical expenses and the pain and suffering of victims.
What type of compensation can victims expect in the paraquat MDL?
Victims of paraquat exposure could be eligible for various compensation, depending on their cases. These can include economic damages such as medical expenses, income losses, and funeral costs. Additionally, noneconomic damages may be compensated in the form of pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and other physical injuries.
Moreover, punitive damages may be granted in a paraquat lawsuit if the court or jury determines that the defendant’s conduct was especially egregious or reckless. Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar future conduct, not to compensate the plaintiff. However, punitive damages are usually only awarded under very limited circumstances.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease after a paraquat exposure, you could claim financial compensation from its manufacturers. Contact legal help and check your eligibility.
