Paraquat & Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuits

Research has indicated that paraquat exposure is linked to a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease. Farmers, applicators, and Mississippi Delta residents may face a higher risk of health complications following years of exposure to the pesticide at area farms. Those injured by paraquat have been filing lawsuits against manufacturers since at least 2017, and that litigation continues to expand.

What is paraquat?

Paraquat (paraquat dichloride) is one of the most commonly used ‘restricted-use’ herbicides in the U.S. Those who purchase and apply it must be certified applicators. Paraquat has been sold under brand names including Gramoxone® and, historically, Cyclone® SL 2.0.

Paraquat is used for rapid burndown and as a harvest aid in crops like soybeans and cotton.

Where & how exposure happens in Mississippi

The Mississippi Delta is full of rich farmland, making it a high-use region for paraquat. The product is often used in row-crop systems, which are common in the Delta where farmers grow soybeans and cotton. In the Delta, both aerial and ground applications are used.

Risks of exposure are higher for certain people, such as those responsible for mixing, loading and applying paraquat, and individuals tasked with equipment cleaning or transfer.

Some of the individuals most at risk include:

• Licensed applicators
• Farmworkers
• Crop consultants
• Residents near treated fields
• Landscapers
• Families of farm workers who may be exposed to dust on clothing or vehicles

Due to the risk of drift, individuals living near crops that undergo this treatment may also be exposed to dangerous levels of paraquat, especially those with adjacent crops. Exposure can occur despite rules and efforts meant to contain the spread of the herbicide.

The link between paraquat and Parkinson’s

Multiple studies have found that “Parkinson’s disease (PD) is more likely to develop among people exposed to paraquat over an extended period of time.”

The use of paraquat has been controversial for years. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research writes that “Paraquat is one of only two pesticides still used in the United States that are either banned or being phased out in the European Union, China, and Brazil.”

While producers of the herbicide continue to challenge the link between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease, thousands of cases are playing out in U.S. courts.

Understanding Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease impacts a person’s core motor symptoms, resulting in bradykinesia (slowness), tremors, rigidity, and postural instability (leading to balance issues and possible falls). There are a number of other secondary movement symptoms that may follow, which can impact a person’s ability to write, speak, walk, and more.

According to more recent numbers, the rate of new cases of Parkinson’s disease is higher than previously thought. About 90,000 new cases occur in the U.S. every year. The disease seems to appear more often in certain regions, including agricultural regions.

Current litigation landscape

Paraquat litigation is still ongoing as of August 2025, with thousands of cases being consolidated into a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) in the Southern District of Illinois and another state-court mass-tort program in Philadelphia, with more than 1,000 cases pending.

In April 2025, parties identified a framework for resolving many of the federal cases, but the terms of that agreement aren’t yet public. Meanwhile, the first MDL bellwether case is set to begin trial on October 14, 2025, although that schedule may change depending on the resolution of those federal claims.

Can I still file a lawsuit?

Despite the status of the ongoing negotiations, it is still possible to file a claim. You may be eligible if you were exposed to paraquat, for instance, through handling/mixing, drift, or proximity to treated fields, and were later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

However, you should act quickly so that your lawyer can review your exposure history, identify the involved product (such as Gramoxone, Helmquat, or Parazone), review your medical records, and make sure you file within any applicable deadlines. You’ll want to make sure you’re included in any resolution and protected from statute-of-limitations issues.

At Merkel & Cocke, we’re prepared to take on cases involving exposure to paraquat and resulting in a Parkinson’s diagnosis. We can conduct a Mississippi Delta-focused investigation to identify potential sources of exposure and discuss your legal options.

Is this a class action lawsuit?

No, a lawsuit in MDL is different from a class action lawsuit. A class action lawsuit involves many claims with very similar injuries to the plaintiffs. These may resolve with a single settlement or judgment that applies to all of the plaintiffs. In MDL, the cases proceed as individual claims with each plaintiff’s facts driving their recovery. MDLs can allow for fair resolutions when a similar cause of harm may result in different degrees of injuries and damages.

Contact Merkel & Cocke today

If you were exposed to paraquat and later developed Parkinson’s disease, now is the time to reach out to an attorney. When it comes to personal injury cases, including those related to MDL and paraquat exposure, we represent clients on a contingency basis. This means that we do not charge our clients unless we’re successful in recovering a settlement or verdict in their favor. This arrangement eliminates financial risk to you of pursuing a claim for compensation from those who caused you harm. Call us or fill out our contact form for a free case evaluation with one of our lawyers. We serve clients throughout the Mississippi and Arkansas Delta from Tunica, Clarksdale, Greenwood, Greenville, Belzoni and beyond.