MDL Track
MDL 3004
S.D. Ill.
Paraquat products liability
6,509 pending
Agrochemical · claims linking paraquat herbicides to Parkinson's disease and neurological injury
Defendant
Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC
MDL / Track
MDL 3004
S.D. Ill.
Judge
Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel
Plaintiffs
6,476 pending
Bellwether / Trial
Settlement Status
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Case overview
The Paraquat Products Liability Litigation (MDL 3004) in the Southern District of Illinois under Chief Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel remains in a procedural holding pattern, with a stay on most deadlines extended through January 2026. Approximately 6,470 federal cases are pending against Syngenta and Chevron, alleging chronic paraquat exposure causes Parkinson's disease. Philadelphia's first bellwether trial settled before opening in August 2025, and a second scheduled trial also resolved; two additional bellwethers are calendared for January and April 2026.
Causation Theory
Plaintiffs' causation theory centers on paraquat's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the substantia nigra, triggering oxidative stress and redox cycling that damages dopaminergic neurons. Key epidemiological support includes a 2009 American Journal of Epidemiology study showing 2.5x increased Parkinson's risk, a 2013 study finding doubled risk, and a 2025 JAMA Neurology study on residential proximity. Laboratory studies demonstrate paraquat induces pathological features of Parkinson's including loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.
Case Management Orders
Litigation status
The Paraquat MDL is implementing a global settlement reached April 2025. As of January 2026, 6,476 cases remain pending in MDL 3016 before Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel in the Southern District of Illinois, with inventory declining as settlements take effect. The court extended the MDL stay through January 2026 to allow finalization of settlement terms.
MDL Track
MDL 3004
S.D. Ill.
Paraquat products liability
6,509 pending
State Court Activity
728 cases in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas as of early 2025; active dockets in California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania
MDL 3004 Leadership
Plaintiff Leadership
Co-Lead Counsel
Co-Lead Counsel and MDL Plaintiffs' Liaison
Sarah Shoemake Doles
Levin, Papantonio, Rafferty, Proctor, Buchanan, O'Brien, Barr & Mougey, P.A.
contact@levinlaw.com(850) 435-7000Plaintiffs' Executive Committee (PEC) and State Court Liaison for Illinois
Plaintiffs' Executive Committee (PEC) and State Court Liaison for California
Plaintiffs' Executive Committee (PEC)
LaRuby May
Levin, Papantonio, Rafferty, Proctor, Buchanan, O'Brien, Barr & Mougey, P.A.
contact@levinlaw.com(850) 435-7000Geographic exposure
500,000–900,000 agricultural workers exposed nationally; 11–17 million pounds sprayed annually. 6,489 federal MDL cases (SDIL); 1,639 Philadelphia state court plaintiffs. SOL limitations apply in Alabama, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, New York, Virginia.
1.3 million pounds applied annually per 2018 CDPR data; 9 million acres treated yearly. 450+ state court cases pending. Crops: cotton, grapes, rice, potatoes, alfalfa, tomatoes, beets. Central California farmworker study shows residential proximity significantly increases Parkinson's risk.
1.5 million acres of sugar cane treated annually; 47,000+ farms on 9.7 million acres. Agricultural workers actively joining litigation citing Parkinson's, respiratory issues, allergies. State court cases pending.
1,639 plaintiffs in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas mass tort as of February 2026. Chevron incorporated in state. July 18, 2025 ruling denied removal of 938 out-of-state plaintiffs; judge called request 'daft.' First trial settled pre-trial August 2025.
Federal MDL 3004 venue: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. 6,489 cases pending as of February 2026. October 2025: Judge extended stay on all deadlines until January 2026.
Southwest Michigan farm cluster: multiple family-member Parkinson's cases reported. Terri McGrath and Paul Friday cases highlight generational exposure on peach farms and family operations. MLive 2025 investigation confirmed ongoing use. SOL limitations apply.
Mac Barlow case: 40 years of paraquat use, Parkinson's diagnosis. ELG Law Birmingham office actively intake. AL.com 2025 investigation confirmed current use. Cotton, soybean, corn applications. SOL limitations apply.
Dave Jilbert case: vineyard south of Cleveland, Parkinson's diagnosis 2020 after paraquat use. Winemaker actively litigating and advocating for ban.
Utility worker cases: paraquat use late 1980s–late 1990s for right-of-way maintenance. State court cases pending. Carolinas face elevated risk; suburban encroachment on treated fields elevates residential drift exposure.
Key defendants
Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC
Role: Manufacturer
Primary U.S. manufacturer and marketer of Gramoxone. SCOTUS declined cert in Nemeth (No. 24-1190) Oct. 2025, preserving Pennsylvania consent-by-registration jurisdiction. MDL 3004 (S.D. Ill.) stay extended to Jan. 2026; early Philadelphia bellwethers settled pre-trial Aug. and Oct. 2025.
Syngenta AG
Role: Parent Manufacturer
Swiss parent controlling global paraquat operations. High degree of control over U.S. subsidiary established in City of Greenville, 830 F. Supp. 2d 550 (S.D. Ill. 2011). Named in Canadian class actions (Ontario, B.C., Québec) alongside U.S. litigation.
Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
Role: Former Manufacturer/Distributor
Manufactured and sold Gramoxone under license 1964-1986. Philadelphia court denied removal/dismissal of 938 out-of-state plaintiffs July 2025, calling request 'daft.' Exposure claims pre-1986 remain viable; indemnity posture unclear.
| Defendant | Role | Intelligence Note |
|---|---|---|
| Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC | Manufacturer | Primary U.S. manufacturer and marketer of Gramoxone. SCOTUS declined cert in Nemeth (No. 24-1190) Oct. 2025, preserving Pennsylvania consent-by-registration jurisdiction. MDL 3004 (S.D. Ill.) stay extended to Jan. 2026; early Philadelphia bellwethers settled pre-trial Aug. and Oct. 2025. |
| Syngenta AG | Parent Manufacturer | Swiss parent controlling global paraquat operations. High degree of control over U.S. subsidiary established in City of Greenville, 830 F. Supp. 2d 550 (S.D. Ill. 2011). Named in Canadian class actions (Ontario, B.C., Québec) alongside U.S. litigation. |
| Chevron U.S.A., Inc. | Former Manufacturer/Distributor | Manufactured and sold Gramoxone under license 1964-1986. Philadelphia court denied removal/dismissal of 938 out-of-state plaintiffs July 2025, calling request 'daft.' Exposure claims pre-1986 remain viable; indemnity posture unclear. |
Timeline
MDL 3004 Established
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidates federal paraquat cases in In re: Paraquat Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3004, Southern District of Illinois, assigned to Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel.
Daubert Hearing on Expert Testimony
Critical Daubert hearing held in MDL 3004 evaluating admissibility of plaintiffs' expert witnesses, including epidemiologist Dr. Martin Wells, whose studies link paraquat to Parkinson's disease.
Initial Bellwether Drift Cases Dismissed
Judge Rosenstengel dismisses four initial bellwether 'drift cases' in MDL 3004 involving indirect paraquat exposure, narrowing the litigation to licensed applicator claims.
New Bellwether Cohort Selected
Judge Rosenstengel selects 10 replacement bellwether cases involving licensed applicators with direct paraquat exposure, setting depositions for November 2024.
Supreme Court Declines Syngenta Appeal
U.S. Supreme Court denies certiorari in Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC v. Nemeth, No. 24-1190, leaving intact Pennsylvania's consent-by-registration statute and preserving Philadelphia jurisdiction over out-of-state plaintiffs.
First Philadelphia Bellwether Settles
Syngenta settles Douglas Nemeth bellwether trial on eve of August 2025 trial date in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas; terms undisclosed. Nemeth claimed Parkinson's disease from decades of Gramoxone exposure.
Philadelphia Jurisdiction Upheld
Philadelphia judge denies Chevron and Syngenta's removal motion, calling request to dismiss 938 out-of-state plaintiffs 'daft' and affirming Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas' capacity to manage mass torts.
MDL Stay Extended for Settlement Talks
Judge Rosenstengel extends stay on all MDL 3004 deadlines until January 2026 to accommodate global settlement negotiations. MDL comprises 6,445 pending cases as of October 2025.
January 2026 Bellwether Settles
Scheduled Philadelphia bellwether case settles night before trial, continuing defendants' pattern of pre-trial resolutions. Case was first of two major 2026 bellwethers intended to establish valuation benchmarks.
April 2026 Bellwether Trial Scheduled
Second Philadelphia bellwether trial scheduled for April 2026 before Judge Joshua Roberts, with 1,639 cases pending in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas as of February 2026.
Statute of limitations
MDL 3008 (In re Paraquat Products Liability Litigation), Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel, S.D. Ill. Centralized 2,000+ cases. State law SOL applies to direct-filed actions; federal courts apply forum state's SOL under Erie. Consider tolling for fraudulent concealment where manufacturers allegedly suppressed causation evidence. EPA 2021 restrictions on paraquat use may support discovery-rule arguments for pre-2021 exposures.
⚠Kentucky
1 year from diagnosis
Rule: Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.140(1)(a)
Discovery: Accrues at Parkinson's diagnosis, not exposure
Shortest SOL nationally; no pending revival statute
⚠Louisiana
1 year from diagnosis
Rule: La. Civ. Code Ann. art. 3492
Discovery: Accrues at diagnosis; contra non valentem may apply for latent disease
Contra non valentem doctrine limited; do not rely on for screening
⚠Tennessee
1 year from diagnosis
Rule: Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1)
Discovery: Accrues at diagnosis
Tennessee Savings Statute allows one refiling within 12 months if dismissed for reasons other than merits
California
2 years from diagnosis
Rule: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1
Discovery: Discovery rule applies; accrues when plaintiff knows or should know of injury and its cause
Large plaintiff pool; consider venue shopping under Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. Superior Court, 582 U.S. 255 (2017)
Illinois
2 years from diagnosis
Rule: 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-202
Discovery: Accrues at Parkinson's diagnosis
Active MDL 3008 (S.D. Ill.) with Judge Rosenstengel; consider state court parallel track
Florida
4 years from diagnosis
Rule: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 95.11(3)(a)
Discovery: Discovery rule applies; statute begins at diagnosis or when link reasonably discoverable
No caps on non-economic damages in product liability; favorable venue for agricultural workers
Missouri
5 years from diagnosis
Rule: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4)
Discovery: Discovery rule applies; accrues at diagnosis
Longest SOL in Midwest; significant agricultural exposure history; consider venue in St. Louis City
Maine
6 years from diagnosis
Rule: 14 Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 752
Discovery: Discovery rule applies; longest SOL nationally
Remote plaintiff pool but maximum temporal flexibility for late-diagnosed cases
| State | SOL | Rule | Discovery Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⚠Kentucky | 1 year from diagnosis | Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.140(1)(a) | Accrues at Parkinson's diagnosis, not exposure | Shortest SOL nationally; no pending revival statute |
| ⚠Louisiana | 1 year from diagnosis | La. Civ. Code Ann. art. 3492 | Accrues at diagnosis; contra non valentem may apply for latent disease | Contra non valentem doctrine limited; do not rely on for screening |
| ⚠Tennessee | 1 year from diagnosis | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) | Accrues at diagnosis | Tennessee Savings Statute allows one refiling within 12 months if dismissed for reasons other than merits |
| California | 2 years from diagnosis | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 | Discovery rule applies; accrues when plaintiff knows or should know of injury and its cause | Large plaintiff pool; consider venue shopping under Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. Superior Court, 582 U.S. 255 (2017) |
| Illinois | 2 years from diagnosis | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-202 | Accrues at Parkinson's diagnosis | Active MDL 3008 (S.D. Ill.) with Judge Rosenstengel; consider state court parallel track |
| Florida | 4 years from diagnosis | Fla. Stat. Ann. § 95.11(3)(a) | Discovery rule applies; statute begins at diagnosis or when link reasonably discoverable | No caps on non-economic damages in product liability; favorable venue for agricultural workers |
| Missouri | 5 years from diagnosis | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) | Discovery rule applies; accrues at diagnosis | Longest SOL in Midwest; significant agricultural exposure history; consider venue in St. Louis City |
| Maine | 6 years from diagnosis | 14 Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 752 | Discovery rule applies; longest SOL nationally | Remote plaintiff pool but maximum temporal flexibility for late-diagnosed cases |
Live intelligence
AI litigation brief
Paraquat remains settled / resolution phase with 108 current signals in the accepted feed.
Overview
The Paraquat MDL is implementing a global settlement reached April 2025. As of January 2026, 6,476 cases remain pending in MDL 3016 before Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel in the Southern District of Illinois, with inventory declining as settlements take effect. The court extended the MDL stay through January 2026 to allow finalization of settlement terms.
Key developments
Trajectory
Court filings and press coverage are both active in MDL 3004, pointing to sustained litigation pressure rather than a one-off headline cycle. 7 live sources are contributing current context.
Editorial intelligence
MDL 3004 should stay on the lead docket watch because it is the primary consolidation vehicle for Paraquat.
Generated Apr 28, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC
108 events detected
Google News (10)
Former EPA officials push U.S. to ban deadly weed killer linked to Parkinson’s - MLive.com
Syngenta calls paraquat shutdown a business decision — 8,000 Parkinson's lawsuits say otherwise - VegOut
Facing 8,000 lawsuits, Syngenta will stop producing the herbicide linked to Parkinson's disease - VegOut
Buy Chevron as its Middle East exposure is lower than rival Exxon’s, says HSBC - CNBC
Syngenta says it will stop making pesticide linked to Parkinson’s disease - The Guardian
Failure to warn: How East St. Louis became a battleground against an international chemical giant - stlpr.org
Failure to warn: How East St. Louis became a battleground against an international chemical giant - STLPR
Syngenta settles bellwether US trial over paraquat links to Parkinson’s - The New Lede
Syngenta settles bellwether US trial over paraquat links to Parkinson’s - thenewlede.org
Syngenta settles bellwether US trial over paraquat links to Parkinson’s - The New Lede
Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences • Zhao B • PMID 41934305 • Journal Article.
Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety • Faria MA • PMID 41957923 • Journal Article.
Endocrinology • Kim JJ • PMID 41992555 • Journal Article.
Toxicology and industrial health • Chang J • PMID 41974199 • Journal Article.
Ecotoxicology and environmental safety • Zhang X • PMID 41966020 • Journal Article.
Court Issues Stipulated Injunction Regarding Pesticides and the California Red-legged Frog | US EPA # Court Issues Stipulated Injunction Regarding Pesticides and the California Red-legged Frog Quick Resources - Stipulated Injunction - Brochure - How to comply with requirements to protect the California red-legged frog On
EPA regulatory on Feb 10 for Paraquat. Regulatory developments can change intake posture and motion practice quickly.
Paraquat Dichloride Training for Certified Applicators | US EPA # Paraquat Dichloride Training for Certified Applicators As required by EPA’s 2016 Paraquat Dichloride Human Health Mitigation Decision and paraquat dichloride (a.k.a. paraquat) product labels, certified applicators must successfully complete an EPA-approved training program before mixing, loading, and/or applying paraquat. The traini
EPA regulatory on Jan 8 for Paraquat. Regulatory developments can change intake posture and motion practice quickly.
Paraquat Dichloride | US EPA # Paraquat Dichloride News - Take the Paraquat Certified Applicator Training or view Paraquat training FAQs - EPA Takes Steps for New, Stronger Protection from Paraquat - Read the EPA's Human Health Mitigation Decision for Paraquat [Esta web está disponible en español](https://espanol.epa.gov/segurid
EPA regulatory on Nov 13 for Paraquat. Regulatory developments can change intake posture and motion practice quickly.
EPA Updates Review on Potential Paraquat Volatilization and Plans to Request Additional Data from Manufacturers | US EPA # EPA Updates Review on Potential Paraquat Volatilization and Plans to Request Additional Data from Manufacturers ### Released November 13, 2025 Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing an updated review of the potential for the pesticide paraquat to vo
EPA regulatory on Nov 13 for Paraquat. Regulatory developments can change intake posture and motion practice quickly.
EPA Announces Proposed Registration of Herbicide Epyrifenacil | US EPA # EPA Announces Proposed Registration of Herbicide Epyrifenacil ### Released November 3, 2025 Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released for public comment its proposed registration decision for two products containing new active ingredient epyrifenacil for use as a pre-plant burndown herbicide for agricultu
EPA regulatory on Nov 4 for Paraquat. Regulatory developments can change intake posture and motion practice quickly.
Attorney Instructions for Opening Paraquat Cases
ilsd_html
Provides step-by-step instructions for attorneys to open new cases in the Paraquat MDL, including case type selection, party entry, complaint filing, and fee payment procedures.
Paraquat Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from ILSD: COMPLAINT against Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Syngenta AG, Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AILSDC-5892998.), filed by George Sessions. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Saucier, Mackenzi) (Entered: 04/24/2026)
Paraquat Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from ILSD: COMPLAINT against Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Syngenta AG, Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AILSDC-5892838.), filed by Thomas Johnson. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Saucier, Mackenzi) (Entered: 04/24/2026)
Paraquat Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from ILSD: COMPLAINT against Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Syngenta AG, Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AILSDC-5892659.), filed by Ronald Antasek. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Saucier, Mackenzi) (Entered: 04/23/2026)
Paraquat Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from ILSD: COMPLAINT against Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Syngenta AG, Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AILSDC-5892523.), filed by Edward Davis, Jr. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Saucier, Mackenzi) (Entered: 04/23/2026)
Paraquat Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from ILSD: COMPLAINT against Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Syngenta AG, Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AILSDC-5892241.), filed by Derwin Hill. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Saucier, Mackenzi) (Entered: 04/23/2026)
Paraquat Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from ILSD: COMPLAINT against Syngenta AG, Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AILSDC-5891654.), filed by Nicholas Ferraro. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Saucier, Mackenzi) (Entered: 04/22/2026)
Paraquat Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from ILSD: COMPLAINT against Syngenta AG, Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AILSDC-5891367.), filed by Aaron Mercadel. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Saucier, Mackenzi) (Entered: 04/22/2026)
Paraquat Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from ILSD: COMPLAINT against Syngenta AG, Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AILSDC-5891141.), filed by Keith Siverd. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Saucier, Mackenzi) (Entered: 04/22/2026)
Paraquat Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from ILSD: COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AILSDC-5889861.), filed by Robert William Baughn. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Hochman, Michael) (Entered: 04/20/2026)
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LexGenius Ranking
84Score
Court, news, and regulatory activity are elevated
Monitoring
Live
monitoring
Last: Apr 28, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC
Next: 43:31
Source Monitoring
PACER
PACER
Google News
PubMed
EPA
Event feed
108
events detected
AI Brief
Paraquat remains settled / resolution phase with 108 current signals in the accepted feed.
Overview
The Paraquat MDL is implementing a global settlement reached April 2025. As of January 2026, 6,476 cases remain pending in MDL 3016 before Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel in the Southern District of Illinois, with inventory declining as settlements take effect. The court extended the MDL stay through January 2026 to allow finalization of settlement terms.
Key developments
Case Management Orders court filing on Apr 27: Attorney Instructions for Opening Paraquat Cases. ‖ MLive.com news on Apr 23: Former EPA officials push U.S. to ban deadly weed killer linked to Parkinson’s - MLive.com. ‖ EPA regulatory on Feb 10: Court Issues Stipulated Injunction Regarding Pesticides and .... ‖ PubMed research on Jun 1: Andrographolide mitigates paraquat-induced pulmonary injury via PI3K/Akt/PPARγ pathway-mediated regulation of EMT and oxidative stress..
Generated Apr 28, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC
Tracked MDLs
MDL 3004
S.D. Ill.
Paraquat products liability