All About Paraquat Settlements

Paraquat settlements are made when the plaintiff and the defendant agree on a reasonable compensation amount for the magnitude of the harm suffered by the claimants. A jury in court can decide the settlement if the injured party (or parties) and the paraquat manufacturer cannot reach a settlement on their own.

Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide used to kill weeds and other unwanted plants in agricultural fields that can cause severe injuries if ingested. Paraquat use soared due to its effectiveness as a home gardening product. However, in 2017 farmers began reporting symptoms of poisoning after using the product, such as headaches and dizziness. Some paraquat users even developed Parkinson’s disease.

Since then, many victims have filed lawsuits against Paraquat manufacturers to seek compensation. Although no settlements have been made so far, you can still file a lawsuit if you think paraquat injured you.

Pursuing Paraquat Lawsuit Settlements

The process of filing a lawsuit against a chemical manufacturer can be complicated and time-consuming. The first thing you need to do is find a paraquat poisoning attorney. We have a network of lawyers from several states who can help with your paraquat injury case. 

There are several reasons why you should hire an attorney to manage your paraquat lawsuit and represent your best interests:

• You want someone who is knowledgeable about paraquat lawsuit settlements and has previously handled similar cases.
• You want someone whose reputation gives you confidence that they will manage your case properly and ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible.
• You need an attorney who understands the complexities of these types of lawsuits and can explain all the details of your case. 
• You want a product liability lawyer who can help you get fair compensation by negotiating with the defendant.

Settlement Rumors

Settlements for the paraquat lawsuits are speculative rather than proven because it is not clear when the settlements will be finalized. 

As of June 2022, over 1,000 paraquat Parkinson’s disease lawsuits are pending in federal courts and approximately 70 others in state courts. There was a motion to dismiss a large block of cases since they were time-barred under the applicable statute of limitations, but the motion has not been ruled on yet.

In a recent paraquat Parkinson’s disease class-action lawsuit, a judge issued a case management order (CMO No. 12) to choose 16 paraquat cases to go to trial first. Lawyers have already begun to prepare these cases for court through the discovery process, possibly indicating that hearings will begin in March 2023.

Time Will Tell

2023 may sound like a long way off if you have Parkinson’s disease after using paraquat. However, there is optimism that the defendants in these actions may offer financial settlements to the victims before trials begin.

Many paraquat poisoning attorneys, including those in our network, feel that the plaintiffs may win substantial sums if these lawsuits go to trial – which could prompt the defendants to offer fair compensation via settlements. Only time will tell how things turn out.

Have There Been Any Paraquat Settlements Yet?

Currently, there have been no settlements or verdicts for cases involving paraquat poisoning. However, if paraquat use injured you, you can join a lawsuit at any time. A lawyer from our network can help determine if your case has merit and explain how you can join multidistrict litigation (MDL) to pursue compensation for your losses. 

What Is Paraquat?

Paraquat is a herbicide that can be used in many different ways. It is primarily used to kill weeds, grasses, and other unwanted plants competing with the growing plant. Paraquat has been called one of the most dangerous pesticides ever made. It is highly toxic to humans and can damage your body even after it has been washed off your skin.

Paraquat poisoning can occur when you inhale or swallow paraquat particles. Paraquat use can also lead to skin contact, eye contact, or ingestion of contaminated food or water.

Products That Contain Paraquat

Be sure to watch out for any products that contain paraquat and avoid using them. Some products that contain paraquat include:

• Gramoxone
• Firestorm
• Para-Shot 3.0
• Devour
• Blanco
• Helmquat 3SL
• Bonedry
• Paraquat Concentrate
• Cyclone SL 2.0
• Ortho-Paraquat

If you were exposed to paraquat and are now experiencing symptoms, connect with a paraquat poisoning lawyer from our network who can help you file a lawsuit.

How and Why Paraquat Is Used?

Paraquat has a long history of use. It was first registered as an herbicide in 1964 and originally marketed as “Gramoxone” by Imperial Chemical Industries. Several companies now manufacture paraquat, including:

• Syngenta
• Chevron Chemical Company
• Adama Group 
• Altitude Crop Innovations
• Drexel Chemical Company
• United Phosphorus
• Helm Agro
• Sinon USA
• Innvictis Crop Care LLC

Paraquat pesticide contains paraquat dichloride. It kills plants by damaging the plant cell’s chlorophyll production, which stops photosynthesis and causes cell death. Paraquat affects other parts of plants, such as roots and stems, and causes them to die as well.

Paraquat Use Over the Years

Paraquat has been used to control weeds in crops, grasses, trees, and shrubs for over 50 years. It is used primarily to control weeds in field crops such as corn, soybean, and wheat. In recent years, paraquat has been used to control weeds:

• In vegetable gardens
• In home gardens
• On golf courses
• On athletic fields

Paraquat has even been used to control noxious weeds on Christmas trees and ornamental plants in homes and offices. Paraquat is also a common alternative for weeds that have become resistant to glyphosate, an ingredient in Monsanto’s popular Roundup weed killer.

Tips for Effective and Safer Paraquat Use

When using paraquat as a weed killer, you must also use generous amounts of water to yield better results:

• If using an air compressor, use at least five gallons of water per acre
• When applying paraquat by air, use 10 gallons of water per acre
• When applying paraquat directly to the ground, use 20 gallons of water per acre

Also, dispersing the chemical onto the leaf is made easier by using a high-quality non-ionic surfactant. Be sure to use a nozzle that produces large spray droplets for sufficient coverage and protection. 

Applicators, mixers, and loaders of any paraquat product should wear additional safety gear. Gloves are required in addition to clothing. Also, remember to use chemical-resistant gloves, such as barrier laminate, butyl, or rubber.

EPA Rules Regarding Paraquat Use

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified paraquat as a “restricted-use pesticide,” which means it cannot be used for recreational purposes. Paraquat can only be used for commercial purposes by approved applicators. 

The EPA also requires paraquat applicators to obtain a recently-approved training certification to help prevent accidental consumption and other exposures to the substance. Accidental intake of paraquat has been blamed for several fatalities, most of which occurred when someone illegally transferred the pesticide to a beverage container and the victim mistook it for a drink.

Therefore, licensed paraquat applicators must now undergo paraquat-specific training before using the chemical to help avoid tragedies like these. Paraquat toxicity, new labeling requirements, risks of use, and other vital information are covered in the training session. 

What Kinds of Paraquat Compensation Are Available?

If you were harmed by paraquat, you need to prove that your injuries occurred as a result of the manufacturer’s negligence. If the evidence is deemed acceptable, you may receive compensation for damages like: 

• Wrongful death. If your loved one died due to the effects of paraquat, you may be entitled to financial compensation. If you can show that the pesticide was responsible for your loved one’s death and that it was a foreseeable risk, you could be awarded damages in a wrongful death lawsuit.
• Loss of consortium. When someone dies suddenly, the loss of companionship can be devastating for the survivors left behind. You may be able to receive compensation for this type of loss if you can prove that paraquat contributed to your loved one’s death.
• Medical expenses. If you or a loved one suffered from paraquat poisoning, you likely have medical bills from emergency room visits, doctor visits, and other forms of treatment. 
• Reduced quality of life. You may have suffered permanent physical or mental impairment due to your paraquat poisoning. You could be entitled to compensation due to your inability to enjoy life after paraquat poisoning.
• Lost wages. If you were employed when your paraquat exposure occurred, your lost wages and lost earning potential can be considered when calculating damages in a paraquat injury claim.  

Settlements in Similar Lawsuits

Roundup is another well-known herbicide that has been repeatedly linked with cancer. Lawsuits involving this herbicide have already reached verdicts and settlements. For example, Bayer agreed to pay $10 billion in 2020 to settle tens of thousands of lawsuits over Roundup’s alleged link to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In a similar case, Bayer was ordered to pay $2 billion in punitive damages and $55 million in compensatory damages after a jury found the company liable for selling a weed killer that allegedly caused cancer to a couple. Bayer was accused of failing to warn consumers about the potential health risks of the product.

Similarities Between Roundup & Paraquat Claims

Both claims allege that the weed killers contain chemicals that injure users. The alleged injuries are also identical in that the diseases are quite serious and may cause long-term disability. 

For Roundup, plaintiffs claimed that exposure to Roundup caused them to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. For paraquat, plaintiffs allege that exposure to paraquat caused them to develop Parkinson’s disease, a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system.

In addition, both claims allege the manufacturer negligently failed to warn customers of the potential risks associated with the product.

Paraquat Dangers and Side Effects

One of the biggest concerns about paraquat exposure is that it can be deadly at very low levels of exposure. Paraquat has no known antidote, so once someone is exposed to the chemical, there is nothing anyone can do except wait for symptoms to appear.

The side effects of paraquat exposure include: 

• Abdominal cramping
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• Bladder infection
• Bone marrow failure
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Chronic fatigue syndrome 
• Diabetes mellitus 
• Seizures

Paraquat poisoning has also been associated with severe long-term health effects such as:

• Multiple system atrophy
• Progressive supranuclear palsy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Atypical Parkinson’s disease

When Will the Paraquat Settlements Begin?

There have been no paraquat settlements to date, and the manufacturers of paraquat are vigorously contesting the allegations. There are over 1,000 multidistrict litigation (MDL) cases now seeking a judge’s approval to advance through the pretrial stage and go to trial in their respective district courts. 

To file an individual personal injury claim against a paraquat manufacturer, you can enlist the help of a paraquat poisoning lawyer from our network to join the MDL.

Call a Paraquat Poisoning Lawyer to File Your Lawsuit Today

There’s no doubt that paraquat use can cause serious health challenges. Although its toxic contamination has been an issue for years now – and although paraquat is already banned in several countries – this herbicide is still ravaging the health of many people.

Unfortunately, no settlements have been reached so far. Nonetheless, we advise all paraquat victims to join the existing efforts to fight for compensation. If you are seeking justice after paraquat poisoning, a lawyer from our network can help with your case.

A paraquat poisoning lawyer can evaluate your claim to determine if you have a valid case and advise you about filing a lawsuit. The lawyers in our network believe that paraquat victims will eventually get justice, even though we do not know when. Are you ready to fight for the compensation you deserve? Fill out our contact form today to connect with a lawyer and learn more.