What Is Paraquat?
Paraquat is a weed-killing herbicide that’s restricted to commercial use only due to its high toxicity. Farmers and agricultural laborers are most at risk of paraquat exposure.
This toxic herbicide has been linked to many side effects, including Parkinson’s disease.
Paraquat Exposure Linked to Parkinson’s Disease
According to the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council, evidence strongly suggests that chronic exposure to paraquat can increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by 200–600%.
While paraquat has been banned in 32 countries across the world, including the European Union and China, it has not been banned in the United States yet. In fact, the use of paraquat in the U.S. has only continued to grow.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), paraquat is one of the most widely used herbicides in the nation. Nearly 11 million pounds of the herbicide are sprayed on U.S. crops each year.
Filing a Paraquat Lawsuit for Parkinson’s Disease
If you or a loved one was exposed to paraquat and were subsequently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, you may have the ability to file a legal claim.
Financial compensation may be available to help you and your family cover the costs of medical treatments, lost wages, and more.
Choosing a Paraquat Lawyer
When you’re trying to find a paraquat lawyer, it’s important to make sure they have the experience and reach to properly build your case.
Here are some key items to look for in a paraquat lawyer:
- A Free Case Review: Does the law firm offer a free, no-obligation consultation on your paraquat legal claim?
- A Successful Track Record: Have the paraquat attorneys had success in cases like this in the past (verdicts, settlements)?
- Decades of Experience: Is this an established law firm with the resources and experience needed to fight for your paraquat case?
- A Nationwide Reach: Does your attorney know the ins and outs of laws in your state?
As of December 2024, Sokolove Law has secured more than $9.6 Billion for thousands of clients across the country. Let us put our 45+ years of experience to work for you.
See if we can help with your case today by calling (800) 995-1212 or getting a free legal case review.
Paraquat Lawsuit Settlements
If you worked with or near paraquat and have developed paraquat Parkinson’s disease, you may be entitled to compensation in the form of a paraquat lawsuit settlement.
What Are Paraquat Settlements?
A paraquat settlement is reached when the plaintiff and defendant determine a fair financial figure for the extent of injuries in your case.
When both parties are unable to reach a paraquat settlement, your case is tried before a jury in court, who decides the fate of your case with a verdict.
In June 2021, Syngenta, the manufacturer of paraquat, resolved multiple lawsuits for nearly $200 Million in paraquat settlements.
Fill out the form on this page to find out if you may be able to pursue a paraquat settlement.
Who Qualifies for a Paraquat Lawsuit?
You may be eligible to file a paraquat claim if you or a loved one was:
- Exposed to paraquat
- Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, or multiple system atrophy
Those who have experience as a landscaper or agricultural worker may be at particular risk of paraquat exposure. You may not have been warned that you were using paraquat.
Not sure if you qualify? We can help determine your eligibility for free. Call (800) 995-1212 now to get started.
What Is Paraquat Poisoning?
First used in the 1960s, paraquat dichloride (more commonly known as paraquat) is a highly toxic herbicide used commercially to prevent weed and grass growth near farms and crops.
Paraquat poisoning can occur if an individual:
- Inhales or ingests paraquat
- Comes into contact with sprayed plants
- Gets paraquat on their skin
- Mixes, loads, or applies paraquat
Sadly, paraquat is so toxic that a single sip can be lethal — and there's no known antidote.
Recognizing Paraquat Chemicals
Because of its high toxicity, paraquat purchased in the U.S. has several safeguards added to it to help prevent people from accidentally consuming it.
These safeguards include a:
- Blue dye to distinguish it from beverages
- Chemical agent that induces vomiting if drank
- Strong odor for caution
When purchased from outside of the U.S., paraquat may not have these additional safeguards, making accidental consumption a greater risk.
But these precautions don’t help those who were exposed to paraquat on the job, whether they applied it themselves or were around coworkers using it.
If you’ve been recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and believe it may have been caused by paraquat poisoning, Sokolove Law may be able to help.
Let Us Fight for You
You may be eligible for compensation that we can fight for on your behalf. Get the help you deserve.
What Is Paraquat Used For?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified paraquat as a “restricted-use pesticide,” which means paraquat is not allowed to be used recreationally. Paraquat can only be used commercially by licensed applicators.
Paraquat is used as an herbicide and weed-killer to prevent the growth of weeds and grass near crops on large and small commercial farms, estates, plantations, and orchards.
Sold under the brand names Gramoxone and Ortho Paraquat, paraquat is a common alternative for weeds that have become resistant to glyphosate, an ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup.
Despite the known dangers of this toxic chemical, paraquat is still one of the most commonly used herbicides in the world.
Paraquat Exposure and Poisoning Symptoms
Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide, and paraquat poisoning can occur after even brief exposure, though prolonged exposure often results in more severe injuries and even death. Exposure or ingestion of paraquat can lead to many health risks, including an increased risk of Parkinson's disease.
Immediate side effects of paraquat exposure include:
- Breathing difficulties or failure, potentially resulting in death
- Coma
- Confusion
- Dehydration
- Elevated heart rate
- Gastrointestinal distress (like nausea, diarrhea or bloody stool, and vomiting)
- Muscle fatigue or weakness
- Pain and swelling of the mouth and throat
- Seizures
Paraquat poisoning can also result in more serious long-term health effects, like:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Atypical Parkinson’s
- Multiple system atrophy
- Progressive supranuclear palsy
If you were diagnosed with Parkinson's after being exposed to the herbicide paraquat, you may be entitled to compensation. Get a free legal consultation today to see if you may have a case.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Caused by a loss of neurons and the dopamine neurotransmitters they produce, Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that worsens over time, causing a variety of both motor and non-motor symptoms to gradually appear.
While there is no cure for Parkinson’s, there are some treatment options available that may help lessen some of these symptoms.
Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Motor symptoms refer to any symptoms that affect your movement or motor skills, like walking or controlling your body.
Parkinson’s disease is characterized by some of the following motor symptoms:
- Bradykinesia (slowness in voluntary movement and reflexes)
- Impaired balance or postural instability
- Limb rigidity or stiffness (resistance to passive movement)
- Resting tremors (shaking movement when the muscles are relaxed)
Over time, people with Parkinson’s may experience difficulty walking and talking.
Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
For those with Parkinson’s disease, the non-motor symptoms of their disorder can often be more disruptive to their day-to-day than their motor symptoms.
Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:
- Apathy
- Cognitive impairment
- Constipation
- Depression
- Insomnia or other sleep behavior disorders
Get a Free Legal Case Review
Over the last 45 years, we've helped clients in all 50 states secure a total of over $9.6 Billion. Get a free case review today to see if we can help you, too.
Sokolove Law Handles Paraquat Lawsuits
The risks of paraquat exposure have been known for decades — but companies kept using the highly toxic herbicide anyway, prioritizing their profit over your health.
Sokolove Law can help you determine what legal options might be open to you and fight to secure the compensation you may be entitled to. We can help you determine your eligibility and work with you through the legal process, hopefully leading to a paraquat settlement.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s after applying paraquat or being around it when it was being applied, call Sokolove Law today at (800) 995-1212 or start a free legal case review.
Note: All brands are trademarks of their respective companies.
Paraquat Parkinson's Lawsuit Settlement FAQs
Am I eligible to file a paraquat lawsuit?
The best way to determine if you may be eligible to file a paraquat lawsuit is to get a free legal evaluation from a top paraquat law firm.
As a national law firm with over 45 years of legal experience, Sokolove Law has helped thousands of clients across the country get the compensation they deserve, and may be able to help you too.
We can help you determine your eligibility — get a free case review today.
Why should I file a paraquat Parkinson's disease lawsuit?
There are many reasons to file a lawsuit if you’re suffering as a result of being exposed to paraquat.
Paraquat lawsuits can help you:
- Secure compensation to cover medical bills and other expenses
- Hold the companies that exposed you to paraquat responsible
- Spread awareness of the dangers associated with paraquat, which helps others at risk
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after working with or near this weed-killer, you may be eligible to file a paraquat lawsuit.
What is a paraquat settlement?
A paraquat settlement is a form of financial compensation that your legal team negotiates with the defendant (the makers and sellers of paraquat) for the injuries they caused.
What determines paraquat lawsuit settlement amounts?
Paraquat settlement amounts are determined by a variety of unique factors in each claim, which may include:
- The cost of any medical expenses
- The degree of paraquat exposure
- Your diagnosis and the severity of your symptoms
- Your age and overall health at diagnosis
While there's never a guarantee of compensation in any case, our paraquat lawyers will fight hard to get you everything you're entitled to.
Our team also doesn't get paid unless you do, so there's no financial risk to taking legal action with our firm.
How do I prove I was exposed to paraquat?
A paraquat law firm with a proven track record can help track down the details and find the evidence.
If you’ve worked on an industrial and have since been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, our paraquat attorneys may be able to help you prove your case.
Contact us today to learn your options.
How much does a paraquat lawsuit cost?
When you work with Sokolove Law, our paraquat lawyers work on what’s known as a contingency basis, meaning you don’t have to pay any fees upfront or hourly rates.
Your paraquat attorney will receive a portion of the paraquat settlement or verdict results only if your case is successful.
Who is at risk of paraquat exposure?
Paraquat exposure predominantly affects:
- Farmers, farmworkers, landscapers, and agricultural workers
- Residents of rural areas near farmland sprayed with paraquat
- Anyone who works with or around professional-grade pesticides
According to one 2012 study, people who use paraquat and have a certain genetic variation are 11 times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, making some more at risk from exposure than others.
If you’ve developed Parkinson’s after working with or near paraquat, you may be entitled to compensation.
Learn what legal options may be available to you by getting a free case review today.
Is there a link between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease?
Yes. Since the early 2000s, studies have shown paraquat to be linked to Parkinson’s disease.
In fact, prolonged exposure to the herbicide can increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by 200-600%, according to the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council.
A comprehensive review of the medical literature on paraquat also shows that the rate of occurrence of Parkinson’s disease was 25% higher in individuals who were exposed to paraquat.
The same study indicates that the longer one’s exposure to paraquat, the higher their chance of developing Parkinson’s disease.
How does paraquat cause Parkinson’s?
Paraquat can alter cell chemistry to the point of cell damage and death through a process called oxidative stress.
When specific dopamine neuron cells in the brain are damaged and lose the ability to function properly, Parkinson’s disease may result.
Individuals can be subject to paraquat-induced parkinsonism by:
- Coming into close proximity with recently sprayed plants
- Accidentally getting paraquat on their skin or hair
- Mixing, loading, or applying paraquat
Those with frequent and chronic exposure to the weed-killer may be more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease caused by paraquat.
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that can lead to uncontrollable shakiness, stiffness, and the general deterioration of motor-function abilities.
It's believed to be caused by a mix of genetic and environmental factors, including exposure to certain chemicals like paraquat or the water at Camp Lejeune, which has also been linked to Parkinson's.
There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, though there are treatments available that may help lessen some motor and non-motor symptoms.
What herbicide causes Parkinson's disease?
Paraquat is a common herbicide that has been linked to Parkinson's disease. If you or your loved one was exposed to paraquat and later suffered from Parkinson's, contact Sokolove Law today. Our team's available 24/7, and there's no cost to speak with us.