Paraquat Lawsuit for Parkinson’s Disease: What You Need to Know

Friday, August 19, 2022

Paraquat Lawsuit for Parkinson’s Disease: What You Need to Know

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

In May 2022, around 1,000 Paraquat herbicide lawsuits were filed against manufacturers selling the popular grass and weed killer. The lawsuits claim that the herbicide increases the risk of getting Parkinson’s disease. Two of the companies involved in the claims include Chevron USA and Syngenta.

Many of the plaintiffs involved in the multidistrict litigation (MDL), or class action cases, include agricultural employees and farmers. They also include individuals who were exposed to the herbicide close to where they reside.

Therefore, claimants state that they developed Parkinson’s disease because of the exposure. The negligence claims are used to request damages in the form of medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Claimants are also requesting money for how the disease impacted them with respect to their quality of life.

If you are in this position and would like to discuss a possible case, reach out to our law firm about our handling of Paraquat and other dangerous product cases.

Latest Developments in the Paraquat Lawsuit

In February of 2022, Nancy Rosenstengel, a U.S. district judge, advanced most of the claims she reviewed, which was an initial win for plaintiffs. The judge denied motions to dismiss the claims for negligence, strict product liability, and consumer protection legislation. She did dismiss a public nuisance claim included in the lawsuits.

The first MDL trial regarding Paraquat and Parkinson’s is set for November 15, 2022, along with three more trial dates set for March 13, June 12, and September 18 in 2023. Confirmation of the trial dates was set after litigants provided the lists of cases they wished to submit for the first trial dates.

The judge reviewed the paperwork and selected six lawsuits for the bellwether or “test” trials. These types of proceedings are used as a guide to determine future jury settlements and to see if a case is justified.

What You’ll Need to Provide to Attorneys

If you believe your Parkinson’s diagnosis is related to Paraquat exposure, you’ll need to share information, such as the type of exposure and its extent, any family history of Parkinson’s disease, the financial damages you’ve incurred thus far, and how much you project you’ll pay for future medical care and costs.

How Parkinson’s Disease Develops

Parkinson’s disease represents a movement disorder that results from damage to the nerve cells and the reduction of dopamine. Dopamine, in the body, controls movement. Parkinson’s is believed to be brought about by environmental conditions or genetics.

Side effects are usually mild during the first stages of the disease. For example, a patient might experience tremors on one side of their body or a slight change in their facial expression. However, because the disease is progressive, symptoms get noticeably worse. In some cases, the patient may need round-the-clock care or may be confined to a wheelchair.

The disease also leads to psychosis, and some patients suffer from delusions or hallucinations. While medications are used to treat symptoms, researchers, so far, have not discovered a cure.

Contact a Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys if You’ve Developed Parkinson’s

You need to contact a Chicago Personal Injury lawyers from Malman Law if you’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease from Paraquat exposure. Learn all that you can so you can receive the compensation to which you’re entitled. Schedule a consultation with our legal team today.