Extension Granted for Case Selection Deadline Key Points: In essence, the granted extension offers a pragmatic solution to address the technical obstacles encountered by the plaintiffs, ensuring that all parties can effectively participate in the case selection process within an extended timeframe.
New Paraquat Lawsuit: Alleged Link to Parkinson’s Disease A new lawsuit surfaced on Friday, alleging that extended exposure to Paraquat resulted in a farm worker developing Parkinson’s disease. The plaintiff, who toiled on a California farm from 1973 to 1983, asserts repeated exposure to Paraquat through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. Symptoms indicative of Parkinson’s…
Surge in New Cases Adds Momentum to Paraquat MDL Following a relatively sluggish month in March, the Paraquat class action MDL experienced a resurgence in April, with the addition of 225 new cases. This influx of new cases brings the total number of pending cases in the Paraquat MDL to 5,590, aligning closely with the…
Dismissal of Bellwether Trials and Implications for Future Litigation The MDL judge dismissed four bellwether lawsuits after excluding the testimony of the plaintiff’s key expert on general causation, Dr. Martin Wells. This decision effectively ended those four cases as the plaintiffs could not establish the necessary causal link for their claims without this testimony. However,…
California Assembly Introduces Bill to Ban Paraquat Assemblymember Laura Friedman has proposed a new bill, AB 1963, aimed at banning the sale of Paraquat in California by the end of 2025, with an immediate phase-out beginning. Paraquat, a toxic herbicide, is currently used by growers of pistachios, almonds, and cotton in the state. It is…
Dismissal of Unsubstantiated Cases in Paraquat MDL The Paraquat multidistrict litigation (MDL) involves over 5,000 plaintiffs. Recently, another lawsuit related to Paraquat was voluntarily dismissed, seemingly to avoid a deposition. This decision followed a court order for the plaintiff’s deposition, highlighting a trend where ten out of 34 cases selected for closer examination this year…
Why Streamlining Paraquat Lawsuits Benefits You In the current legal landscape, there’s a significant focus on the number of inadequately vetted Paraquat lawsuits within the MDL. While this may reflect negatively on certain lawyers, it doesn’t diminish the merits of valid claims. The judge’s proactive approach to dismissing unfounded cases is a positive development, ensuring…
Illinois State Court Paraquat Settlement In 2017, Syngenta, the manufacturer of Paraquat, faced lawsuits in an Illinois state court from individuals who claimed the herbicide caused them to develop Parkinson’s disease. The litigation was relatively unknown at the time, and Syngenta settled these cases quietly and confidentially. The total amount of these settlements was $187.5…
New Paraquat Lawsuit: Allegations of Parkinson’s Disease A new lawsuit was filed yesterday involving Paraquat, a herbicide. The plaintiff, a 53-year-old resident of Colorado, claims prolonged exposure to Paraquat between 1996 and 1999 in Abilene, Texas, during his employment activities. He alleges direct contact with Paraquat through various means, including touching, absorbing, inhaling, or inadvertently…
As of March 18, 2024, Paraquat litigation remains in limbo as attorneys await Judge Rosenstengel’s Daubert decision, which has been pending for over 26 weeks. The Paraquat multidistrict litigation (MDL) has grown to encompass more than 2,700 lawsuits filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Judge Rosenstengel’s meticulous approach…