Agricultural giant Syngenta faces numerous paraquat Parkinson’s consumers who claim they were injured by the herbicide, with additional cases filed every day.

Paraquat safety: overview

Paraquat is a chemical herbicide commonly sold under the brand name Gramoxone. The herbicide is primarily used to kill weeds and unwanted grasses.

Although paraquat is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world, the chemical is highly toxic. If ingested or inhaled, paraquat can cause fatal poisoning. In fact, more than 70% of paraquat poisonings are ultimately fatal, according to Healthline.

Ingesting a small or moderate amount of paraquat can result in severe adverse effects within days to weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some examples include heart failure, kidney failure, liver failure and lung scarring. If ingested in large amounts, paraquat can cause additional severe issues within hours or days, including:

• Confusion
• Coma
• Increased heart rate
• Heart injuries
• Muscle weakness
• Fluid in the lungs
• Respiratory failure
• Seizures
• Death

Even if someone survives paraquat poisoning, they may face long-term damage.

More recently, consumers filed lawsuits against manufacturers Syngenta and Chevron alleging that the companies’ paraquat products can lead to Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s is a neurological disease characterized by shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with coordination. According to paraquat Parkinson’s lawsuits, herbicide manufacturers failed to warn users that the chemical could lead to neurological disease.

Farmers have called for the ban of paraquat due to health risks, but not all regulators have agreed. As of Aug. 2, 2021 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has, after a reevaluation period, decided to finalize “new, stronger safety measures to reduce exposure.” Under these new measures, only licensed applicators can apply paraquat. In order to be licensed, individuals must pass online training every three years.

Despite measures to control paraquat usage, the EPA has still come under fire from advocates and injured consumers for allowing the herbicide to remain on the market. In September 2022, after being hit with a lawsuit over its interim registration of paraquat, the EPA asked the court to give it time to reconsider the decision instead of defending against the lawsuit. After reviewing the relevant evidence, the EPA may decide to rescind its approval.

Paraquat Parkinson’s lawsuits filed

On March 25, 2021, plaintiff Paul Rakoczy filed a lawsuit against Syngenta and Chevron. The New Jersey man claims to have developed Parkinson’s disease after using paraquat.

Rakoczy allegedly used paraquat routinely between 2013 and 2017 while applying the herbicide in the Long Beach, Calif. area. During use, Rakoczy says that he inhaled, ingested, and absorbed the chemical.

In December 2015, the plaintiff was allegedly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. However, Rakoczy alleges he didn’t connect the disease to his use of paraquat herbicide until March 2021.

“At no time when using paraquat himself was Plaintiff aware that exposure to paraquat could cause any latent injury, including any neurological injury or Parkinson’s disease, or that any precautions were necessary to prevent any latent injury that could be caused by exposure to paraquat,” the paraquat Parkinson’s lawsuit contends.

Plaintiff Charles Adams filed similar allegations against Syngenta and Chevron on April 13. Adams allegedly used paraquat in Illinois between 1960 and 1980. As a result of this usage, the plaintiff allegedly developed Parkinson’s disease.

Both plaintiffs claim that, had they been warned about paraquat’s connection to Parkinson’s disease, they would have taken protective measures. However, due to a lack of warning, the plaintiffs now suffer from permanent disabilities, according to the lawsuit.

A growing number of people are coming forward with paraquat Parkinson’s litigation. With an influx of paraquat lawsuits, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation agreed to consolidate 14 lawsuits in an MDL located in the Southern District of Illinois. At least 77 other lawsuits could be related to the MDL and may later be included.

Paraquat is not the only herbicide linked with serious complications — glyphosate, the active ingredient in popular weed-killer Roundup, has also been connected with severe and even life-threatening side effects, including cancer. Monsanto (now owned by Bayer) has been hit with its own share of litigation.

Filing a paraquat Parkinson’s lawsuit

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s after exposure to Paraquat, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by a Parkinson’s diagnosis, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

The Paraquat Parkinson’s Lawsuits are Paul Rakoczy v. Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, et al., Case No. 4:21-cv-02083, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and Charles Adams v. Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, et al., Case No. 3:21-cv-00380, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.