Paraquat is a widely used herbicide that has been linked to Parkinson’s disease in those who were exposed to it. Some claim that long-term exposure to paraquat is related to health conditions like Parkinson’s disease and the companies that produce and use the chemical, including Chevron and Syngenta, have known about the connection between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease for years. Although they supposedly knew about these detrimental effects, paraquat manufacturers did nothing to warn regular users of the toxic herbicide about the potential harm that could result from its extended use.

December 2024 Update

The Paraquat multidistrict litigation (MDL 3004) has seen significant updates, with 241 new cases added in 2024, raising the total to 5,318 pending cases. Plaintiffs allege that repeated exposure to Paraquat, a widely used herbicide, caused Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions, with recent lawsuits including wrongful death claims against manufacturers like Syngenta. As the MDL progresses with new discovery cases and state court filings, these lawsuits continue to highlight the ongoing controversy over Paraquat’s health risks and manufacturer accountability.

Paraquat Lawsuit News

Is there a paraquat lawsuit?

Yes, there are several active lawsuits surrounding paraquat. In 2017, several early lawsuits were filed against Syngenta for herbicide paraquat and the link the herbicide has to early-onset Parkinson’s disease. Since then, more people have filed suits claiming a link between their exposure to paraquat and their development of Parkinson’s disease and other health conditions. This resulted in the formation of a multidistrict litigation (MDL) suit where a large number of the cases were consolidated into an Illinois federal Court. As of May 1, 2023, there were over 3,400 claimants involved in the Illinois MDL case. This number will continue to grow as more people become aware of the lawsuit and the potential negative impact of exposure to paraquat.

In addition to the MDL, paraquat lawsuits have been filed in several states, including:

  • Pennsylvania
  • California
  • Washington
  • Florida

The first bellwether trial has been rescheduled to take place in October 2023. Judge Nancy Rosenstengel, who oversees the paraquat MDL case in the Southern District of Illinois, issued an order for Daubert and summary motions to help determine the validity and use of expert testimony. The judge will hear the first oral arguments on these issues starting in August 2023.

In early settlement news, Syngenta reached a master settlement agreement with certain paraquat claimants in June 2021. In order for the settlement to take place, counsel for the claimants had to agree to dismiss all pending cases and give Syngenta a broad release from accusations made by covered claimants. Upon settlement, Syngenta put $187.5 million into a settlement fund before distribution to impacted claimants. While Syngenta asserts the claims and cases have no merit, Syngenta believed it was better to put an end to the risk of ongoing litigation.

This has been the only settlement related to paraquat so far. The upcoming bellwether trial should give attorneys a better understanding of what to expect with future cases and settlements. Those suffering from Parkinson’s disease or paraquat related injuries should contact an attorney to find out if they can join the MDL along with thousands of others who have may have been injured by long-term exposure to paraquat-containing herbicides.

Paraquat Lawsuit Updates

Paraquat is a chemical used in the manufacture of herbicides that kills weeds. It was first introduced in the 1960s and has since been applied to agricultural land in many developed countries. Although the chemical is currently banned in more than 30 countries, the U.S. and some other developed nations continue to use it commercially. Even though Paraquat requires agricultural workers to have special certification and safety equipment to apply it in the US; however, it is routinely sprayed on millions of farm acres around the world without such precautions and training.

Plaintiffs in the paraquat MDL lawsuit claim that their long-term exposure to the substance caused their Parkinson’s disease, and there are some studies that back up this claim. However, not all studies have been conclusive, and there are uncertainties about the causal links between some of the evidence in the case and the injuries suffered by those exposed to the herbicide. Farmers and agricultural workers often spray the fields in which they work with herbicides, some of which contain paraquat. This herbicide also goes by numerous brand names, including:

  • Agroquat
  • Agroxone
  • Almoxone
  • Blanco
  • Bonedry
  • Cekuquat
  • Crisquat
  • Cyclone SL 2.0
  • Devour
  • Dextrone
  • Dexuron
  • Drexel Quik-Quat
  • Dynaquat
  • Esgram
  • Firestorm
  • Gramixel
  • Gramuron
  • Gramoxone
  • Halexone
  • Helmquat 3SL
  • Herbaxon
  • Herbikill
  • Inferno
  • LPI 6620 Paraquat 3SL
  • Methyl Viologen Dichloride
  • Ortho Paraquat CL
  • Para-col
  • Para-Shot 3.0
  • Parakill
  • Parazone
  • Parazone 3SL
  • Pillarquat
  • Pillarxone
  • PP148
  • Quick-Quat
  • Secaquat
  • Sunquat
  • Totacol
  • Toxer Total
  • Weedol

Although methods of application for toxic herbicides like paraquat have become stricter in recent years, lack of historical guidance on risks and the need to wear protective equipment have negatively impacted the long-term health of workers who are required to regularly use paraquat. Studies that link paraquat use to Parkinson’s disease are on the rise, which should help shed light on how the two are connected and what can be done to protect people who are exposed to paraquat and other toxic herbicides in their daily lives.

Herbicides and Parkinson’s Disease – Is There a Link?

A study published in February 2006 by Environmental Health Perspectives states that “the weight of evidence is sufficient to conclude that a generic association between herbicide exposure and Parkinson’s disease exists.” However, the study also indicates that Parkinson’s disease could be related to exposure to a variety of herbicides or their ingredients and that more data is necessary to understand the role paraquat plays in causing or increasing the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease.

The research also relates that in two other studies Hertzman et al. 1990 and Liou et al. 1997 paraquat exposure was shown to be significantly associated with Parkinson’s disease, especially if exposure spanned more than 20 years. It concludes that paraquat may have neurotoxic actions that could potentially play a role in the development of Parkinson’s disease. An increased risk of developing the neurological disorder could be associated with rural living, well-water consumption, and farming in addition to long-term use of herbicides and insecticides, but it is important to note that Parkinson’s disease is caused by both genetic and environmental factors.

Epidemiological studies

In Taiwan, where herbicides like paraquat are widely used on rice fields, a study with 120 patients found a strong correlation between exposure to paraquat and developing Parkinson’s disease. The research indicates that exposure to paraquat for more than 20 years increases the chance of developing Parkinson’s disease by nearly six times. Longer durations of herbicide use increased its effects on agricultural workers. When combined with data from a door-to-door survey of Taiwanese residents that concluded environmental factors may play a more important role in Parkinson’s disease than other factors, these findings present strong evidence that even general exposure to paraquat increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Of course, there is some debate as to the validity of the methodology used in the Taiwan study. It can be difficult to separate the use of various herbicides and insecticides that might be used in the daily work of someone in the agriculture industry, which makes it difficult to conclusively prove that paraquat alone is the cause of Parkinson’s disease in humans. However, there is no doubt that prolonged use of certain chemicals, including paraquat, is linked to early-onset Parkinson’s disease, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and other cancers and diseases with negative long-term effects on health.

Neurotoxicity of PQ, MPTP and other dopamine congeners

Paraquat has a chemical similarity to other compounds known to cause parkinsonian syndrome, and it has been shown that the systemic administration of paraquat to animals causes neuronal damage and a parkinsonian-like syndrome. Although paraquat is not transported by the dopamine carrier, like compounds of similar makeup, it can still exert neurotoxic effects on the brain, which are linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. The scientific community recognizes that paraquat causes cellular toxicity through oxidative stress. However, the intracellular targets of the oxidative stress caused by paraquat are presently unknown.

Occupation and Risk of Parkinson: A Multicenter Case-Control Study

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) conducted a case-control study “to investigate occupations, specific job tasks, or exposures and risk of parkinsonism and clinical subtypes.” In this study, researchers found that occupational use of herbicides, such as in agricultural work, was associated with an almost 80% greater risk of parkinsonism. Several herbicides and insecticides, including paraquat, were associated with a more than three-fold increase in the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. This study included cases that demonstrated atypical symptoms, as this may be a factor of toxicant-induced parkinsonism, something which may have been overlooked in other studies.

Paraquat and Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review protocol according to the OHAT approach for hazard identification

Due to the suggestion that paraquat could be linked to Parkinson’s disease, there have been several studies on the topic recently, although much more research needs to be conducted to ensure accurate results and findings. The evidence to support a link between herbicide use and Parkinson’s disease is strong, but more research and investigation are necessary to determine what role paraquat plays on the development of these injuries. In the Paraquat and Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review protocol according to the OHAT approach for hazard identification study, paraquat was associated with the production of reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, and aggregation of ±synucleins in dopaminergic neurons.

Each of these factors is related to an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. However, the mechanism that paraquat uses to access dopaminergic neurons is not fully understood. The findings of this study suggest that multiple factors can contribute to developing Parkinson’s disease and causality between paraquat exposure and the disease cannot be determined by epidemiological studies on their own. In fact, linking a specific herbicide to Parkinson’s disease has proven difficult, and many of the studies to date have methodology flaws.

The goal of this study was to determine “the real human levels of exposure and the relevance of paraquat’s mechanisms of neurotoxicity.” This can help regulatory agencies understand what the exposure limits are and how to mitigate risk for those who use herbicides regularly.

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Projected paraquat settlement amounts

Other than the June 1, 2021, settlement, where Syngenta put nearly $200 million into a settlement fund, no paraquat lawsuits have settled or reached verdict in Court. This makes it difficult for attorneys to quote an exact settlement amount for their clients who are involved in this MDL. Settlement amounts for this litigation will depend on what tier you fall into.

Those in tier I are people who have suffered significant losses due to their deteriorating health condition they allege was caused by long-term use of paraquat. Tier II plaintiffs are awarded the next highest amount, with tier III plaintiffs getting the lowest payout.

Estimates for possible settlement terms for the paraquat lawsuit are in part based on the recent Roundup lawsuit, where the company’s product, which contains an ingredient that has been linked to non-Hodgkins lymphoma, was the subject of major litigation. The settlement for this case as of January 2023 is $10 billion. Like paraquat cases, claimants were separated into tiers based on the severity of their condition and other factors, making it difficult to know the exact amounts awarded to each individual. Some estimate that the average payout was around $160,000 per claimant.

However, attorneys are estimating that those in tier I for the paraquat MDL could receive as much as $1 million, with lower estimates still reaching as much as $400,000 to $500,000. Those in tier II plaintiffs could see settlement amounts in the $150,000 to $300,000 range, while tier III may receive anywhere from $20,000 to $150,00. These estimates are not definitive and will vary frequently depending on a variety of factors, including how many claimants are involved in the case, evidence that arises in the MDL, and the results of bellwether trials.

Do you qualify for the paraquat lawsuit?

Agricultural workers and farmers are the most common plaintiffs in the paraquat MDL case because the herbicide has wide usage in the agricultural industry. People who lived in an area where paraquat was used frequently and those who lived with someone who regularly used paraquat are also at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. If you were exposed to paraquat in your daily work or you lived with someone who was or in an area where paraquat use was common, then you or a loved one could qualify to join thousands of others who suffer from tremors, loss of motor functions, and other symptoms related to the disease in seeking relief through the paraquat litigation.

People who applied paraquat as part of their regular work and those who may have been exposed to paraquat because of drift when the chemical was sprayed over fields by aircraft could qualify to join the paraquat litigation if they have developed Parkinson’s disease or have any of its symptoms. Those suffering from Parkinson’s disease often show symptoms such as:

  • Tremors (unilateral shaking when muscles relaxed)
  • Stiffness/slowing of movement
  • Gait issues
  • Impaired posture and balance
  • Loss of balance
  • Speech changes
  • Writing changes
  • Muscle rigidity

Other signs of the disease include cognitive impairment, depression, and sleep disorders, among others. Paraquat can also affect the kidneys and could lead to other medical conditions like multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy. Parkinson’s disease is incurable and those who have the condition struggle to complete simple daily tasks. Manufacturers of paraquat allegedly knew the herbicide had side effects that could lead to Parkinson’s disease but failed to inform users of the product. If you believe your Parkinson’s disease could be caused by exposure to paraquat, contact an attorney to find out how to join the paraquat litigation and get the compensation you deserve.

Long-term exposure to paraquat seems to pose the highest risk, but the herbicide is poisonous even through a brief encounter, especially if accidentally ingested. If you ever suffered from paraquat poisoning through a brief exposure, you may remember experiencing these symptoms:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Muscle weakness
  • Nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
  • Confusion
  • Coma
  • Dehydration
  • Seizures
  • Swelling of the mouth or throat
  • Death

It is important to include these details when you speak to someone about joining the paraquat litigation or filing a claim on behalf of a loved one.

The paraquat litigation could help thousands of people who used the chemical receive a settlement to cover the costs of medical bills, treatments, care, and loss of wages for those who can no longer work but still require an income. An attorney can help you understand more about the paraquat MDL lawsuit and whether you qualify. This litigation is ongoing but with the upcoming bellwether trial, some clarity should be provided for plaintiffs about settlement amounts and future trial dates.

Paraquat Lawsuit Timeline 

2024

September 7 – A Delaware judge ordered Syngenta and a co-defendant to release certain documents in a Paraquat lawsuit. The case involves a dispute with insurers, including Hartford and Travelers, regarding legal defense coverage. Syngenta had previously withheld documents citing attorney-client privilege, but only those containing legal advice will remain protected.

September 7 – The Pennsylvania Superior Court rejected Syngenta’s attempt to dismiss over 600 Paraquat lawsuits filed in Philadelphia. Syngenta argued that most of the cases were unrelated to Pennsylvania, but the court upheld the state’s “consent by registration” law, allowing the cases to proceed. The ruling allows plaintiffs’ attorneys to continue preparing for the first Paraquat trial scheduled for April.

September 3 – Over 50 new cases were added to the Paraquat multidistrict litigation (MDL), bringing the total number of active cases to 5,891.

August 29 – Six cases in the Paraquat MDL were spared dismissal after plaintiffs missed deadlines for submitting Plaintiff Assessment Questionnaires (PAQs). The Special Master initially recommended dismissal for non-compliance with Case Management Order No. 10. After considering challenges and the defendants’ lack of opposition, the court ruled that dismissing these cases would be unfair, especially since many plaintiffs eventually submitted the required documents.

August 24 – The Third Circuit’s recent ruling in Schaffner v. Monsanto may influence defense strategies in the Paraquat litigation. The decision strengthened the argument that federal regulations, such as EPA herbicide labeling guidelines, can override state law claims. While this could weaken plaintiffs’ failure-to-warn claims, other claims like defective design and inadequate testing are less likely to be affected.

August 21 – The British Columbia Supreme Court certified a class action lawsuit representing all Canadians diagnosed with conditions related to handling Gramoxone products since July 1, 1963. This legal development allows affected individuals in Canada to pursue collective action against Syngenta regarding Paraquat exposure.

August 19 – A new Paraquat lawsuit was filed by an Arkansas plaintiff, claiming he developed Parkinson’s Disease after working as a groundskeeper from 1987 to 2016. The plaintiff argues he followed all usage instructions but was not adequately warned about Paraquat’s dangers, leading to severe health, emotional, and financial damages. The lawsuit seeks compensation for these damages, citing the defendants’ failure to properly inform the public and medical community about the risks associated with Paraquat.

August 16 – The Paraquat Plaintiffs’ Committee provided a status update, detailing developments in various courts. In the federal MDL, 10 new plaintiffs were selected for bellwether trials after previous dismissals. Case-specific discovery is underway. In the Pennsylvania MDL, the first group of 10 bellwether cases faces a discovery deadline of September 4, with the first trial tentatively set for April 2025. In Delaware state court, a Motion to Dismiss was partially granted, with amended pleadings and written discovery to follow.

August 7 – Ten new bellwether cases were selected in the Paraquat MDL following a setback in April. The parties will prepare these cases for trial, while settlement talks continue.

August 6 – A Washington man filed a lawsuit against Syngenta and Chevron, alleging that exposure to Paraquat from 1966 to 1975 caused his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2013. The lawsuit claims that the chemical’s toxicity and its impact on dopamine-producing neurons contributed to his illness.

July 30 – A federal judge in Texas granted the Texas Attorney General’s motion to quash subpoenas served on state agencies, including the Texas Department of Agriculture, by Paraquat plaintiffs. The judge ruled that state agencies are protected by sovereign immunity, preventing third-party discovery from state officials.

July 23 – 74 Paragard lawsuits were dismissed in the MDL. This development indicates that a global settlement may be near, as eliminating non-viable claims can facilitate the settlement process.

July 11 – The Paraquat MDL saw the addition of 90 new lawsuits last month, although some were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. This brings the MDL’s total case count higher, even as non-viable claims are weeded out.

July 1 – The Paraquat MDL in Illinois experienced slow growth, increasing from 5,680 to 5,770 cases. The slowdown is attributed to the issues detailed in the June 13 update.

June 26 – Four plaintiffs in the Paraquat MDL objected to the recommended dismissal of their cases due to overdue PAQs. Their lawyer cited staffing issues and efforts to verify information, requesting that the court reject the dismissal, as their delays did not harm the defendants’ defense. A new lawyer for another plaintiff requested 30 additional days to submit the PAQ after recently taking over the case.

June 13 – Paraquat-related lawsuits in Philadelphia surged 50% in six months, rising from 500 to 728 cases. Judge Joshua Roberts attributed this to favorable outcomes in Elmiron cases and frustrations with the Paraquat MDL after Judge Rosenstengel dismissed key experts and bellwether cases.

June 10 – California Assembly member Laura Friedman introduced Assembly Bill 1963, seeking to ban Paraquat due to its toxicity. The bill is supported by labor leader Dolores Huerta, who highlighted the herbicide’s impact on Latino farmworkers.

June 3 – The Paraquat MDL added 90 new cases last month, down from 225 in April. The total number of pending cases is now 5,680.

May 22 – A study showed a strong link between environmental exposures and Parkinson’s Disease, with industrial toxins and certain pesticides being key risk factors. The research supports claims that Paraquat could contribute to Parkinson’s, highlighting occupational exposure as a significant concern.

May 16 – An Arkansas widow filed a lawsuit, claiming her husband’s exposure to Paraquat from 1965 to 1975 on their farm caused his Parkinson’s Disease. He began showing symptoms in 2007 and passed away in 2021, with Parkinson’s being a contributing factor.

May 1 – The Paraquat MDL added 225 new cases in April, bringing the total number of pending cases to 5,590. This marks a resurgence after slow growth in March.

April 17 – A major setback occurred in the Paraquat MDL as four key lawsuits were dismissed due to the exclusion of expert testimony. Despite the setback, the litigation continues, with new cases selected for discovery. Plaintiffs may appeal, and their legal team will focus on strengthening expert evidence.

April 4 – A new lawsuit was filed in Connecticut, claiming that Paraquat exposure from 1966 to 2001 led to a man’s Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis in 2019. The lawsuit also noted a minor typographical error regarding another plaintiff.

April 1 – The Paraquat MDL experienced a slowdown in new filings, with 47 new cases added in March, down from 280 cases filed in February.

March 19 – A new Paraquat lawsuit was filed by a Tennessee plaintiff who claims to have been exposed to the herbicide between 1982 and 1994. The plaintiff alleges that this exposure contributed to their diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2023.

March 1 – The Paraquat MDL expanded with 241 new cases added last month, marking the largest monthly increase since November. The total number of active cases now stands at 5,318.

February 12 – A recommendation was made to dismiss 60 lawsuits within the Paraquat MDL due to non-compliance with mandatory questionnaires. A significant portion of these cases came from a single law firm.

February 6 – The number of new cases filed in the Paraquat MDL has slowed considerably, dropping from an average of 250 cases per month to fewer than 50 in recent months.

February 2 – The influx of new Paraquat MDL cases has significantly declined. After months of averaging around 250 new cases, only 26 were filed in January 2024, bringing the total to 5,077 active cases.

January 15 – The Paraquat MDL experienced a reduction in the number of pending cases, with a total decrease of 21 cases over the past month. This is notable given that the MDL has typically seen more than 150 new cases added monthly for the past two years. The drop in numbers is likely due to dismissals of inactive cases, along with a slowdown in new filings.

January 5 – A new lawsuit claims that insufficient warnings about Paraquat’s dangers led to a farm worker’s regular exposure between 1978 and 2004. The plaintiff, who worked in Homestead, Florida, developed Parkinson’s Disease in 2014. The lawsuit also states that the plaintiff only became aware of the herbicide’s potential link to serious health conditions, such as Parkinson’s, in March 2021. Compensation is being sought for medical expenses, emotional distress, and other damages.

2023

December 18 – The Paraquat MDL exceeded 5,000 active cases, but the rate of new case filings has slowed. Only 86 new cases were added in the past month, marking the lowest monthly total in over two years. This slowdown in filings has continued for the second consecutive month.

November 1 – Dr. Douglas Weed files a motion to dismiss a subpoena concerning his article on paraquat and Parkinson’s disease.

October 17 – Only 30 new cases added to the MDL in the past month.

October 2 – Future of litigation uncertain as Judge Rosenstengel weighs Daubert challenges.

September 27 – Closing Daubert briefs submitted, indicating potential challenges for plaintiffs.

September 18 – Pending cases in the MDL reach 4,752.

September 6 – Judge orders parties to present closing briefs by September 8.

August 31 – First bellwether test trial in the MDL postponed.

August 21 – Daubert hearing begins, focusing on expert epidemiologist Dr. Martin Wells.

August 16 – Hearing on Daubert motions scheduled for August 21-24.

August 15 – MDL case count reaches 4,454.

August 4 – State court Paraquat lawsuit in Pennsylvania involves over 300 plaintiffs.

August 1 – Judge in Paraquat MDL to rule on scientific causation evidence admissibility.

July 18 – 223 new Paraquat lawsuits transferred into the MDL, total at 4,306.

July 1 – Defendants identify 611 questionable claims in the MDL.

June 16 – 353 new Paraquat lawsuits added to the MDL.

June 12 – Chevron and Syngenta AG move for summary judgment in the MDL.

June 1 – Record high of 511 new cases filed in May, indicating continued growth of the MDL.

May 20 – Judge Rosenstengel issues mandate regarding actions involving deceased plaintiffs.

May 15 – 511 new cases added to the MDL, totaling 3,730.

May 5 – New Paraquat lawsuit filed directly in the MDL class action in Connecticut.

May 3 – Explanation of the Daubert hearing’s significance.

May 2 – Defendants’ Motion to Strike Dr. David A. Mortensen’s Supplemental Expert Report denied.

April 29 – New deadlines set for the first Paraquat lawsuit trial.

April 27 – Court denies motion to strike Martin T. Wells’ rebuttal expert report.

April 10 – Over 200 Paraquat lawsuits in Pennsylvania state courts consolidated into a state MDL.

March 27 – Syngenta seeks to exclude testimony from plaintiffs’ expert Martin Wells.

March 16 – 277 new cases added to the MDL, total now at 2,998.

March 1 – Disputes over the admissibility of expert witness testimony begin as bellwether trial approaches.

February 17 – A spike with 300 new Paraquat cases, total in MDL reaches 2,721.

February 2 – Motion filed to compel Exponent Inc. to produce documents related to Syngenta and Paraquat.

January 17 – Only 69 new cases added to the MDL, bringing the total to 2,352.

January 2 – Paraquat class action lawsuit increased significantly in 2022, averaging over 200 new cases per month.

2022

December 17 – Explosive growth in 2022 with 2,352 pending cases in the MDL.

November 1 – Bellwether trials pushed to July 2023 amid a surge in new lawsuits.

October 1 – EPA seeks voluntary remand to reconsider Paraquat risk-benefit analysis.

September 15 – MDL grows to 1,925 cases.

September 1 – 20 additional cases selected for limited fact discovery.

August 29 – First bellwether test trial rescheduled for July 2023.

August 15 – Total number of cases in the MDL reaches 1,703.

August 1 – 1,292 plaintiffs in the MDL; consistent influx of new cases.

June 10 – Discovery schedule extended for bellwether trial cases.

May 16 – MDL grows to 1,153 claims, with 57 new lawsuits added in the first week of May.

May 11 – Impact of Bayer’s loss in Roundup cases on Paraquat lawsuit.

May 6 – Concerns over maintaining the November 2022 trial date.

May 2 – Six lawsuits selected for the first round of bellwether trials.

April 14 – 44 new Paraquat lawsuits transferred into the MDL.

April 1 – Monthly status conference discussing bellwether trial selection process.

March 21 – Pool of 16 cases identified for first round of bellwether trials.

March 16 – 875 Paraquat lawsuits now in the MDL.

March 3 – Judge rules on motions to dismiss; key plaintiffs’ claims move forward.

February 10 – Judge orders production of Syngenta corporate witness depositions from a prior case.

February 4 – Over a dozen new lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Illinois.

February 1 – 16 cases selected for the first round of bellwether trials beginning in November.

January 21 – 589 Paraquat lawsuits in the MDL, an increase of 107 since December.

January 15 – Confidential settlement in Hoffmann v. Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC. Plaintiffs seek court order for deposition transcripts.

2021

December 20 – Case management order issued for selecting bellwether trial cases.

December 4 – 319 lawsuits pending in the MDL. Plaintiffs required to complete a Plaintiff’s Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ).

November 11 – Plaintiffs’ response due to Defendants’ motions to dismiss certain cases based on statutes of limitation and repose.

October 1 – Despite calls for a ban, the EPA re-approved paraquat in July. A petition filed in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals seeks to overturn this decision.

August 19 – Initial conference held by MDL Judge Nancy Rosenstengel. First bellwether trial is set for November 15, 2022.