Paraquat MDL Deadlines Extended Amid Settlement Talks

Paraquat MDL Deadlines Extended Amid Settlement Talks

Introduction

The U.S. District Judge overseeing all federal Paraquat lawsuits has agreed to extend a stay on case deadlines until at least September 26, 2025. The delay will give attorneys additional time to finalize the terms of a potential Parkinson’s disease settlement that could resolve thousands of claims against manufacturers of the controversial herbicide.

Widespread Use and Bans of Paraquat

Paraquat has been widely used for decades to eliminate broadleaf weeds and grasses, and it is sometimes applied before harvest to dry crops. Despite its agricultural usefulness, many nations have banned the herbicide because of its extreme toxicity. In recent years, studies have linked Paraquat exposure to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, even when workers follow recommended safety instructions.

Growing Number of Lawsuits Against Manufacturers

Due to the failure to warn about these health risks, more than 6,300 lawsuits have been filed by farmers and agricultural workers. The claims target Syngenta and Chevron, alleging that the companies knew or should have known Paraquat could cause neurological damage. Plaintiffs argue that manufacturers failed to provide adequate safety warnings or instructions to minimize the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Centralization in Federal Court System

Since June 2021, all federal Paraquat lawsuits have been consolidated as part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Southern District of Illinois. The MDL process allows coordinated discovery and pretrial proceedings under the supervision of U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel, who has been managing the litigation.

Bellwether Trials Planned

To prepare the cases for trial, the judge had scheduled a series of bellwether trials, which serve as test cases to gauge how juries might respond to evidence and testimony. These trials are intended to highlight strengths and weaknesses on both sides, potentially guiding future settlement negotiations. Initially, the first bellwether trial was expected to begin on October 14, 2025, followed by a second trial set for April 6, 2026.

Tentative Settlement Announced

In April 2025, however, the parties announced they had reached a tentative global settlement agreement. They filed a joint motion requesting the court to put case deadlines on hold while they finalized details. Judge Rosenstengel granted that request in May, pausing discovery deadlines until June 11. After subsequent extensions in June and July, the judge again extended the stay in August, keeping deadlines on hold until at least September 26.

Possible Impact on Future Trials

If the settlement falls through, case-specific discovery will resume, and bellwether trials may move forward. However, it is uncertain whether the original trial dates will remain in place or be pushed back. While any bellwether verdicts will not be legally binding on other cases, they are expected to significantly influence how juries might respond in future trials if a final Paraquat settlement is not achieved.