Thousands of people, mostly farmers, farmworkers and agricultural applicators, have sued claiming that exposure to the herbicide paraquat caused them to develop Parkinson’s disease. The main defendants are Syngenta, which makes paraquat, and Chevron, which sold it in the United States for years. In 2025, the parties agreed on a settlement framework intended to resolve many claims, and a court supervised fund was set up in 2026. As of October 2026, final individual payment details had not been made public, and some plaintiffs had rejected the terms.
If you worked with paraquat and were later diagnosed with Parkinson’s, here is what you need to know.
Last updated: October 2026. Settlement details are evolving, so confirm current information with a lawyer.
What Is Paraquat?
Paraquat dichloride is a highly toxic herbicide used to control weeds and grasses, and sometimes to dry out crops before harvest. In the United States, it is classified as a restricted use pesticide, meaning only certified applicators can use it. Because it is so toxic, it is banned in dozens of countries, including the European Union and China, though it remains legal in the U.S. under restrictions.
Why People Are Suing
The lawsuits claim that long term exposure to paraquat increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease, a progressive brain disorder that affects movement, and that the manufacturers knew or should have known about the risk but failed to warn users or make the product safer. Research, including laboratory and epidemiological studies, has linked paraquat exposure to Parkinson’s. Some studies found higher rates of Parkinson’s among people who used or lived near areas where paraquat was used. Syngenta denies that paraquat causes Parkinson’s.
Where the Litigation Stands
The federal MDL
Federal paraquat cases are consolidated as MDL 3004 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, before Chief Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel. More than 6,600 federal lawsuits had been filed as of fall 2026, with additional cases in state courts, including Pennsylvania, California and Illinois.
Settlement developments
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | Settlement talks lead the court to pause litigation |
| August 2025 | Parties sign a master settlement agreement setting out the structure and overall terms |
| January 2026 | A bellwether trial in Philadelphia settles before it begins |
| March 2026 | A court supervised settlement fund is created to hold money until individual payouts are calculated |
| April 2026 | A scheduled trial date is canceled while negotiations continue |
| Fall 2026 | Individual payment amounts still not public; reports of some plaintiffs rejecting the terms |
The total settlement amount and the payment formula had not been disclosed publicly as of October 2026. Payouts are expected to depend on factors such as the severity of Parkinson’s, age at diagnosis and the length and type of exposure.
How Paraquat Exposure Happens
Exposure can occur in several ways during farm work:
- Mixing and loading: handling concentrated product before diluting it, the stage with the highest exposure risk
- Spraying: using backpack sprayers or tractor mounted equipment, where drift and splashes can reach skin or be inhaled
- Re entering fields: walking through recently sprayed fields
- Cleaning equipment: rinsing tanks, nozzles and sprayers
- Contaminated clothing: wearing clothes that absorbed spray during long workdays
For a claim, it helps to describe each type of exposure you had, how often and over how many years, along with what protective gear, if any, you used.
Other Risk Factors for Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease has many possible contributing factors, including age, genetics, family history and other environmental exposures. In the litigation, defendants point to these factors to argue paraquat wasn’t the cause. Your lawyer will ask about your family history, other chemical exposures and medical background. Honest, complete answers help your lawyer evaluate your claim and prepare for these arguments.
Paraquat Around the World
More than 70 countries have banned paraquat, including all European Union nations, the United Kingdom, China and Brazil. Critics argue that if the chemical is too dangerous for those countries, it shouldn’t be used in the U.S. Supporters of continued use say it is effective and safe when handled under restrictions. The EPA has kept paraquat on the market with added safety measures while reviewing it, and that ongoing review is part of the broader debate around the lawsuits.
Language Access and Farmworkers
Many farmworkers who handled paraquat speak Spanish or another language as their first language. Safety labels and training haven’t always been available in workers’ primary languages, which is one of the issues raised by advocates. If you or a family member are more comfortable in Spanish or another language, look for a law firm that offers consultations in that language. Many firms handling these cases do.
Who May Qualify
People who may qualify generally:
- Were exposed to paraquat, most often by mixing, loading or spraying it, or working in fields where it was applied
- Were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after the exposure
- Can document or describe their exposure, including where, when and how often
- Have medical records confirming the diagnosis
The strongest claims usually involve direct occupational exposure over many seasons. Some claims involve people who lived near farms where paraquat was sprayed, though those can be harder to prove.
Proving Paraquat Exposure
Because paraquat is a restricted use pesticide, records may exist. Useful evidence includes:
- Pesticide applicator license or certification records
- Farm purchase records or receipts for paraquat products, sometimes sold under names like Gramoxone
- Employment records from farms, cooperatives or agricultural companies
- State pesticide use reports, which some states require
- Statements from coworkers, employers or family members
Parkinson’s Disease and Your Claim
Parkinson’s disease causes symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, slowed movement, balance problems and, over time, cognitive and emotional changes. It is progressive, so many people need increasing care over the years. Medical records documenting your diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and how the disease has progressed are important for any claim.
What if I Already Have a Lawyer?
If you already filed a lawsuit, your lawyer should be explaining the settlement process, your estimated payment and whether you must decide to accept or reject. Ask for clear answers about how your payment is being calculated and what happens if you decline. Mass tort settlements often require a high percentage of plaintiffs to participate before they become final.
What if I Haven’t Filed Yet?
You may still be able to file, depending on your state’s statute of limitations and the settlement’s rules for new claimants. Many settlements set registration deadlines. Some people only recently connected their Parkinson’s to past paraquat use, which may affect when their deadline began under the discovery rule. Talk to a lawyer soon.
Is Paraquat Still Being Used?
Yes, under restrictions in the U.S. The EPA has reviewed paraquat several times and imposed additional safety measures, such as training requirements and limits on who can handle it. Advocacy groups have pushed for a ban. If you still work with paraquat, follow all safety requirements, including protective equipment and proper mixing procedures, and ask your doctor about any concerns.
A Quick Example
Ramon worked on farms in California’s Central Valley for 25 years, mixing and spraying paraquat several times each season. In his early sixties, he developed a tremor in his right hand and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Former coworkers can confirm his work with paraquat, and the farm’s records show its purchases. His situation reflects the profile many paraquat claims involve: long term, direct occupational exposure and a confirmed Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Questions to Ask a Paraquat Lawyer
- Does my exposure history fit what the settlement covers?
- Is there still time to register or file a claim?
- How is the settlement calculating individual payments?
- What records do you need from me, and can you help find old farm records?
- What happens if I decline the settlement?
- What is your fee, and are there common benefit fees?
Living With Parkinson’s While Your Claim Proceeds
Parkinson’s affects every part of daily life, and legal processes can feel slow. Focus on your care team, including a neurologist, physical therapist and other specialists, and keep records of treatments, medications and changes in symptoms. Patient organizations offer support groups, education and resources for families. Good medical documentation supports both your health and your claim.
State Court Paraquat Cases
Not every paraquat case is in the federal MDL. Many cases were filed in state courts, particularly in Pennsylvania, where Syngenta has U.S. operations, and in states with large agricultural communities. State court cases follow their own schedules and rules, and the January 2026 Philadelphia bellwether that settled before trial was a state court case. Whether your claim is in federal or state court can affect timing and how a settlement applies, so ask your lawyer where your case is filed.
Why the Settlement Has Taken Time
Large mass tort settlements involve thousands of individual claims that must be reviewed for eligibility, exposure and injury severity. Claimants submit records, an administrator evaluates them, and payments are calculated using an agreed formula. Liens from health insurers and Medicare must also be resolved. When some plaintiffs reject the terms, it can delay finalization further. Delays are frustrating, especially for people living with a progressive disease, but they are common in settlements of this size.
Medicare and Your Payment
Many people with Parkinson’s are on Medicare. If Medicare paid for treatment related to your claim, it will need to be reimbursed from your settlement. Your lawyer should handle this process, which can take time. Ask how Medicare’s claim may affect your net payment and timeline.
Family Members and Wrongful Death
If a loved one with Parkinson’s has died, the family or estate may be able to bring a claim. Gather their work history, medical records and death certificate, and speak with a lawyer about your state’s rules.
What to Do Next
If you were exposed to paraquat and have Parkinson’s disease, start gathering your employment, licensing and medical records now, and write down your exposure history in detail. Then speak with a lawyer handling paraquat cases about whether you can still participate in the settlement and what deadlines apply to you.
Sources
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois: Paraquat MDL 3004
- Drugwatch: Paraquat Litigation Update (October 2026)
- U.S. EPA: Paraquat Dichloride
- Parkinson’s Foundation
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different, so speak with a licensed attorney in your state about your own situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parkinson's the only illness in the paraquat lawsuits?
Parkinson’s disease is the main injury in the paraquat litigation.
Does it cost money to file a paraquat claim?
Most lawyers handling these cases work on contingency, so there is usually no upfront fee.
Can I join the paraquat lawsuit if I live outside the U.S.?
The U.S. litigation generally involves exposure in the United States. People exposed elsewhere should ask a lawyer about options in their own country.
Do I need to have used paraquat recently to qualify?
No. Many claims involve exposure that happened years or decades before the Parkinson’s diagnosis.
What brand names was paraquat sold under?
Paraquat has been sold under several names, with Gramoxone being one of the best known. Check old farm purchase records for product names.
Is there a paraquat settlement?
Syngenta and plaintiffs agreed on a settlement framework in 2025, and a court supervised fund was created in 2026. Individual payment details had not been made public as of October 2026.
Who qualifies for the paraquat lawsuit?
Generally people exposed to paraquat, usually through farm or applicator work, who were later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
How much will the paraquat settlement pay?
The total and individual amounts haven’t been disclosed. Payments are expected to vary by severity, age and exposure.
Can I still file a paraquat claim?
Possibly, depending on your state’s deadline and settlement registration rules. Speak with a lawyer soon.
Is paraquat banned in the U.S.?
No. It is a restricted use pesticide in the U.S., though it is banned in many other countries.
What if I lived near a farm but never sprayed paraquat?
Some claims involve nearby residents, but they can be harder to prove than direct occupational exposure.
