Gramoxone® is a herbicide used to control weeds and grasses with an active ingredient called paraquat. It is alleged that paraquat exposure is linked to Parkinson’s disease.
Siskinds and its Québec-based affiliate Siskinds Desmeules have filed proposed class action lawsuits on behalf of all Canadians who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after using and/or being exposed to Gramoxone®, since July 1, 1963. The actions have been filed in Ontario, British Columbia, and Québec, and are brought against Syngenta AG, Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, Syngenta Canada Inc., Syngenta International AG, and Syngenta Crop Protection AG (the “Defendants”).
Among other things, the proposed actions allege that the Defendants breached their obligations by misrepresenting the safety of Gramoxone®, and its active ingredient, paraquat, and by failing to properly, adequately, and fairly warn of the risks associated with using and/or being exposed to Gramoxone® and paraquat, as well as the magnitude of these risks.
Paraquat
Paraquat, also known as paraquat dichloride or N,N′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dichloride, is a toxic chemical used as a herbicide marketed under the name Gramoxone® and manufactured by the Syngenta entities since 1963. It is often sold as a liquid concentrate with a dark blue-green color and a strong, sour or putrid, odor.
According to several studies, exposure to paraquat, the main active ingredient in Gramoxone®, increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
For example, a 2013 study found that exposure to this herbicide doubled the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and a 2015 study established a link between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease for non-users of protective gloves during exposure to the active ingredient. The results of several other studies have also identified an increased risk ratio for developing Parkinson’s disease following exposure to paraquat.
Legal proceedings
Siskinds Desmeules is seeking financial compensation on behalf of all Canadians who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after using and/or being exposed to Gramoxone® and its active ingredient, paraquat, since its entry into the Canadian market (on or about July 1, 1963).
Developments in the class-action lawsuit
Since the notice of a class-action lawsuit was initially posted on December 10, 2021, there have been developments in the case. There have been two actions filed, one in Québec and one in British Columbia. The Québec lawsuit applies only to “all natural persons in Québec”, while the British Columbia lawsuit applies to “a broader national class with the exclusion of residents in Québec”.
The lawsuit in Québec has developed and defines eligible plaintiffs as:
People who have developed Parkinson’s disease after repeatedly being exposed to herbicides with the active ingredient of paraquat, or:
A spouse, parent, child, sibling, or caregiver of someone who has developed Parkinson’s disease after being repeatedly exposed to paraquat.
The lawsuit in British Columbia, which includes all Canadians outside of Québec, has developed and defines eligible plaintiffs as:
Individuals who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after using Gramoxone® products after July 1, 1963, or:
Individuals who are the living spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling of someone who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after using Gramoxone® products after July 1, 1963.
If you have used and/or been exposed to Gramoxone® (and its active ingredient, paraquat) and have Parkinson’s disease or if you know someone who has, Siskinds may be able to help.
For more information on the lawsuit and/or the developments in the lawsuit, visit siskinds.com/class-action/gramoxone-paraquat-case-study/ or contact:
Phone: 1-800-461-6166
Email: paraquat@siskinds.com
Mailing Address: 275 Dundas Street, Unit 1, London, ON N6B 3L1