Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease: Understanding the Legal Options for Exposure Victims
We are Rueb Stoller Daniel, a national plaintiffs’ law firm with decades of combined experience. We represent thousands of clients in mass tort and class action cases across the United States, holding large companies accountable for chemical exposure, dangerous drugs, medical devices, and catastrophic injuries. Our attorneys serve in leadership roles on mass tort litigation, including paraquat cases, and have secured tens of millions in settlements and jury verdicts.
Paraquat is a widely used herbicide linked by scientific studies to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. Agricultural workers, pesticide applicators, and residents near treated fields face the highest exposure. As research connects paraquat to brain cell damage and chronic Parkinsonism, lawsuits across the country are holding chemical companies accountable. Victims are turning to mass tort attorneys to seek compensation for medical costs, lost income, and long-term health impacts.
In this blog, you will learn how paraquat exposure is linked to Parkinson’s disease, who faces the greatest risk, what scientific evidence supports the claims, and how working with an experienced mass tort attorney can help victims seek compensation through ongoing legal action.
What Is Paraquat?
Paraquat is a toxic chemical widely used as a herbicide. It is applied to control weeds and grasses in large-scale farming.
Paraquat as a Weed Killer
Paraquat, also known as paraquat dichloride, is a fast-acting herbicide used on crops like soybeans, cotton, and corn. It works by interfering with plant cell functions, killing unwanted vegetation quickly. Because of its strength, paraquat is often used in areas where other weed killers are less effective. The chemical is sold under brand names such as Gramoxone.
EPA Restrictions on Paraquat Use
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies paraquat as a restricted use pesticide. Only certified applicators are allowed to handle and apply it. This restriction exists because of paraquat’s high toxicity and the known health risks it presents. Even small amounts of paraquat can be fatal if ingested. The EPA continues to review the safety of paraquat as concerns about long-term health effects grow.
Global Response to Paraquat Risks
Several countries, including those in the European Union, have banned paraquat due to its impact on public health. Research suggests a connection between paraquat exposure and increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. In response, health agencies and environmental scientists are calling for stricter regulations or a full ban in the United States.
Ongoing Use in American Agriculture
Despite health warnings, paraquat remains widely used in the United States. Its effectiveness against weeds makes it valuable to large farming operations, especially in California’s Central Valley and other high-production regions. However, this continued use poses risks to workers, nearby residents, and the broader public.
Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease: The Scientific Link
Studies over the last two decades have shown a strong connection between paraquat exposure and the development of Parkinson’s disease.
How Paraquat Affects the Brain
Paraquat is known to cause oxidative stress in brain cells. This stress damages the neurons that produce dopamine, a key chemical that helps control movement. Loss of these neurons is a primary sign of Parkinson’s disease. In laboratory studies, paraquat exposure led to brain changes similar to those seen in people with Parkinson’s disease.
Animal Studies Supporting the Link
Research using mice and rats has confirmed the danger of paraquat exposure. In controlled studies, animals exposed to paraquat showed symptoms consistent with Parkinson’s disease, including tremors and motor control issues. These studies support the theory that paraquat damages the nervous system and contributes to the onset of disease. Findings were reported in journals like Neurobiology of Disease and Toxicological Sciences.
Key Researchers and Findings
Scientists such as Di Monte DA, Cory-Slechta DA, Bronstein J, Ballard PA, and Langston JW have led research on the health risks of paraquat. Their studies show that people exposed to paraquat have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Some research also points to a stronger effect when exposure is combined with genetic risk factors.
Epidemiological Studies in Humans
Large-scale human studies have shown a link between pesticide exposure and Parkinson’s disease. A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that people living near paraquat-treated fields had a much higher chance of developing Parkinson’s disease. This is especially true in agricultural regions like California’s Central Valley.
Combined Risk From Other Chemicals
The danger of paraquat increases when combined with other pesticides like rotenone. These substances, often used together in farming, may have a combined effect that speeds up brain degeneration. The interaction between genetic factors and environmental exposure is a growing focus in Parkinson’s research.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Paraquat exposure does not affect all people equally. Certain groups face a much higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease due to direct or repeated contact with the herbicide.
Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Applicators
People who mix, load, or spray paraquat are the most exposed. These include licensed pesticide applicators and farmworkers. Repeated handling of paraquat increases the chance of absorbing the chemical through the skin or inhaling it. Without proper safety measures, the risk becomes even higher.
Residents Living Near Treated Fields
Living close to areas where paraquat is sprayed also increases exposure. Wind can carry droplets of paraquat into nearby homes and neighborhoods. Studies in farming regions like California’s Central Valley have shown that people living near fields are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. The risk rises with long-term residence near treated land.
People With Certain Genetic Traits
Some people carry genes that make them more sensitive to environmental toxins. When exposed to paraquat, these individuals may face a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease. Researchers continue to study how genes and environmental factors combine to trigger brain degeneration.
Older Adults With Long-Term Exposure
The chance of developing Parkinson’s disease increases with age. Older adults who worked in agriculture or lived near treated areas for many years face greater risk. Long-term exposure, even at low levels, may contribute to brain cell damage over time.
Combined Exposure From Multiple Pesticides
Paraquat is often used with other pesticides, including rotenone. Combined exposure to these substances can increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease more than either chemical alone. This is especially true for farmworkers who handle several products during a single season.
Legal Landscape: Mass Tort Litigation Against Paraquat Manufacturers
Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed by people who developed Parkinson’s disease after exposure to paraquat. These cases target the companies that made and sold the herbicide.
Manufacturers Named in Lawsuits
The main defendants in paraquat lawsuits are Syngenta and Chevron. These companies produced and distributed paraquat-based products like Gramoxone. Plaintiffs claim the companies failed to warn users about the risks linked to paraquat exposure. The lawsuits argue that the manufacturers knew or should have known about the connection between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease.
Basis of Legal Claims
The claims focus on product liability, negligence, and failure to warn. Victims allege that paraquat is a dangerous product and that the companies did not provide clear safety information. Some cases also argue that paraquat is defective and should not have been sold. The legal complaints rely on scientific evidence linking paraquat to brain cell damage and disease.
Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)
To manage the growing number of cases, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created MDL No. 3004 in the Southern District of Illinois. This MDL helps organize the legal process by combining similar cases before one judge. It allows faster rulings on key issues and makes it easier to handle expert testimony, such as findings from epidemiological studies and toxicology research.
Use of Scientific Evidence
Scientific studies are central to these lawsuits. Courts review this evidence under the Daubert standard, which controls what expert testimony is allowed in federal courts. Plaintiffs rely on data from studies by researchers like Langston JW, Bronstein J, and Di Monte DA, showing a strong link between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease.
Potential Compensation for Victims
People exposed to paraquat who later developed Parkinson’s disease may be eligible for compensation. This includes coverage for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. Many victims are seeking legal help from experienced mass tort attorneys who handle product liability and toxic exposure cases.
Contact an Experienced Mass Tort Lawyer At Rueb Stoller Daniel Today!
If you or someone you care about has been exposed to paraquat and later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, you may have legal grounds to seek compensation. At Rueb Stoller Daniel, our team of experienced mass tort attorneys is actively representing victims in paraquat-related claims. We understand the serious impact this disease can have on your health, livelihood, and family.
Contact us at 1-866-CALL-RSD for a free case consultation today!
