What To Know About The Paraquat MDL [Multidistrict Litigation]

According to a recent coordination order from the district court, there are nearly 400 lawsuits included in the paraquat multidistrict litigation.

Originally, less than 100 cases were involved in the MDL, but as news spread and more farmers and individuals began to link their Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis to paraquat exposure, they soon filed lawsuits that were included in the MDL.

More cases are likely to be added.

Paraquat is a chemical agent most commonly used as an herbicide on a range of more than 100 different crops.

Paraquat has been found to put those exposed to the chemical at a higher risk for Parkinson’s Disease.

In 2011, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted a study – the Farming and Movement Evaluation (FAME) – which found that exposure to the popular herbicide was linked to a 2.5x higher risk of developing Parkinson’s.

According to the American Council on Science and Health, Paraquat’s relative toxicity of glyphosate, another popularly used herbicide known to be toxic, ranges from 33-250.

A lethal dose for an average person is around 2.5 grams, and it is even more toxic when inhaled.

Paraquat’s toxicity has made it a traditionally popular agent for suicide because it can kill a person with a single sip.

Since the Paraquat MDL is in its early stages, having begun in June of 2021, it will take some time for settlements to be reached.

As mentioned previously, bellwether trials are set to begin on November 15, 2022.

Sixteen (16) cases have been selected as bellwether trials, but the trial date is subject to change.

If the trial date is pushed back further, settlements will also be pushed to a later date.