Paraquat Parkinson's claim screener

Legal information only. This screener identifies potential eligibility. An attorney and medical expert determine final qualification. See our full disclaimer.

Your paraquat claim evaluation

Connect with a paraquat attorney

A paraquat litigation attorney will review your case at no cost. No fee unless you win.

Paraquat and Parkinson's disease - the science

Paraquat (methyl viologen) is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world and one of the most toxic. It's been banned in more than 50 countries including the European Union but remains legal in the United States, where it's sold under brand names including Gramoxone. Only licensed applicators can purchase and use it commercially.

Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found that people exposed to paraquat are significantly more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than the general population. Research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that living within 500 meters of a paraquat application area increases Parkinson's risk by 75%. The NIH's Farming and Movement Evaluation (FAME) study found direct associations between paraquat exposure and Parkinson's.

Lawsuits consolidated in the Southern District of Illinois MDL allege that Syngenta (manufacturer) and Chevron (former US distributor) knew for decades that paraquat caused Parkinson's and concealed that information from farmers, farm workers, and regulators.

Who qualifies for a paraquat claim

The strongest claims involve individuals who were directly exposed to paraquat - farmers who applied it, farm workers who worked in treated fields, and licensed commercial applicators. Residential proximity claims (living near treated agricultural areas) are also being pursued. The key requirements are documented or credible paraquat exposure and a confirmed Parkinson's disease diagnosis from a neurologist.

Frequently asked questions

Exposure is documented through purchase records, EPA applicator license records, employment records showing work on farms where paraquat was used, and personal testimony. Attorneys in the paraquat MDL have established processes for documenting exposure histories for agricultural workers. Even if you don't have purchase receipts, a detailed work history and a licensed applicator status are sufficient starting points.

The primary defendants are Syngenta and Chevron, which marketed paraquat under the Gramoxone brand. Other manufacturers and distributors have also been named. The active ingredient paraquat dichloride is the same regardless of brand. If you used any paraquat-containing herbicide product and have a Parkinson's diagnosis, the specific brand matters less than the documented exposure to the chemical compound.

Family members who lived on farms where paraquat was used, or who were exposed through a farm worker's contaminated clothing, may have residential or secondary exposure claims. These cases are more challenging than direct applicator cases but have been pursued in the MDL. The proximity and duration of exposure and the confirmed Parkinson's diagnosis are the critical factors.

State statutes of limitations apply, typically 2 to 3 years from diagnosis or from when the plaintiff knew or should have known the Parkinson's was linked to paraquat exposure. The discovery rule is important here - many farmers didn't know about the paraquat-Parkinson's link until media coverage of the MDL in recent years. An attorney can assess whether the discovery rule tolls the SOL in your state.

No. Parkinson's disease has multiple causes including genetic factors and other environmental exposures. For a paraquat claim, plaintiffs must establish that paraquat exposure was a contributing cause of their specific Parkinson's. This typically requires expert testimony from a neurologist and toxicologist linking the plaintiff's exposure history and disease progression to paraquat's known mechanism of neurotoxicity. This expert work is handled by the plaintiff's attorney.