Syngenta Settles Lawsuits As Legal Battles Over Paraquat Continue

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Syngenta’s settlement of paraquat lawsuits, while professing innocence, unfolds amid complex debates on its safety and responsibility.

Quick Takes

  • Thousands of lawsuits claim paraquat exposure leads to Parkinson’s disease.
  • Syngenta settled claims for millions but maintains the herbicide’s safety.
  • Exposure primarily affects farmers and those near treated areas.
  • The settlement seeks to avoid costly litigation, though controversy remains.

Legal Battles and Settlements

Thousands of legal actions have been taken against companies like Syngenta and Chevron, alleging a link between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease. As of April 2025, 5,911 paraquat lawsuits remain pending across the U.S. Initially filed in 2017, these cases point to long-standing concerns over the chemical’s supposed health risks. Amid ongoing trials, an agreement to resolve numerous federal cases was reached in April 2025.

The first lawsuits were consolidated in 2021 into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in Illinois, which aims to streamline proceedings. Settlements have already seen some claims resolved for $187.5 million, with average payouts estimated between $100,000 and $150,000. However, bellwether trials extending into late 2025 are expected to shape future settlements.

Health Concerns and Safety Regulations

Paraquat’s potential danger is underscored by its “restricted use” classification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The herbicide requires licensed professionals for proper handling, given its high toxicity. The chemical is deadly in small doses, with risks including direct contact, inhalation, ingestion, and area exposure. “People who developed Parkinson’s disease after exposure to paraquat are filing lawsuits claiming that manufacturers failed to warn about the long-term risks of the herbicide.”

Studies repeatedly indicate a significant increase in Parkinson’s disease among paraquat users, notably harming agricultural workers and nearby residents. Plaintiffs argue manufacturers did not adequately inform them about Parkinson’s risks or provide proper safety guidelines. The enduring use in American agriculture has put powerful lobbying against any outright ban, keeping paraquat alive in fields.

Syngenta’s Position and Public Outcry

Syngenta states there is no conclusive peer-reviewed science linking paraquat to Parkinson’s disease, maintaining the product’s safety amidst settlements. The company said that “Syngenta has settled certain claims in the federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL) and California court in the United States related to paraquat. Syngenta believes there is no merit to the claims, but litigation can be distracting and costly. Entering into the agreement in no way implies that paraquat causes Parkinson’s disease or that Syngenta has done anything wrong. We stand by the safety of paraquat.”

In contrast, numerous complainants contend Syngenta deliberately downplayed or disregarded health risks, fueling demands for a ban. Internal reports suggest company awareness of potential threats, an accusation Syngenta refutes. Yet, amidst these controversies, various lawyers worry about their excluded clients losing out, citing inequity in the finalized settlement.

Sources:

  1. https://www.drugwatch.com/paraquat/lawsuits/
  2. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/15/syngenta-weedkiller-parkinsons
  3. https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/agrichemical-giant-syngenta-to-settle-thousands-of-lawsuits-claiming-weedkiller-causes-parkinsons/

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