How to Prove Your Parkinson’s Disease is Linked to Paraquat Exposure

A Parkinson’s disease diagnosis is a life-altering event that brings uncertainty, fear, and a host of questions. For many agricultural workers, landscapers, and rural residents, one of those questions is whether their illness is connected to long-term exposure to Paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide. A growing body of scientific research has linked this chemical to a significantly increased risk of developing Parkinson’s, leading thousands of victims to seek justice through the legal system.

However, filing a lawsuit is just the first step. To win your case, you must be able to prove that it is more likely than not that your exposure to Paraquat was a substantial factor in causing your Parkinson’s disease. This is a complex legal and scientific challenge. At Walch Law, we specialize in helping toxic exposure victims build the powerful, evidence-based cases needed to hold manufacturers accountable.

The Scientific Foundation: Linking Paraquat to Parkinson’s

The foundation of every Paraquat lawsuit rests on decades of scientific research. Numerous studies published in respected scientific journals have found a strong correlation between Paraquat exposure and the development of Parkinson’s disease. These studies show that Paraquat creates “oxidative stress,” a process that kills the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. The loss of these specific neurons is the hallmark of Parkinson’s disease.

While the manufacturers of Paraquat continue to deny this link, the scientific evidence is compelling and serves as the backbone of the litigation. Your legal team will use this wealth of scientific data, along with expert testimony, to establish “general causation”—the principle that Paraquat is capable of causing Parkinson’s disease in humans. From there, the focus shifts to proving your specific case.

Key Evidence Needed to Prove Your Exposure

Once general causation is established, you must prove “specific causation,” which means showing that you were exposed to Paraquat. This is often the most challenging part of a case, especially if your exposure occurred many years ago. Your attorney will work with you to gather several types of evidence to build a comprehensive exposure history.

Work and Residential History

A detailed timeline of your life and work is the starting point. We will need to document any jobs you held that may have brought you into contact with Paraquat. This includes:

Licensed Applicators: The most direct evidence is a commercial applicator license, which proves you were certified to handle “restricted use” pesticides like Paraquat.
Farmworkers: If you worked on a farm, you may have been exposed through mixing, loading, or spraying Paraquat, or by entering fields that had been recently treated.
Landscapers and Groundskeepers: Your work records can show employment at properties like golf courses, parks, or large estates where Paraquat was used for weed control.
Rural Residents: If you lived near a farm or commercial property where Paraquat was frequently sprayed, you may have been exposed through chemical drift.

Purchase and Employment Records

Tangible documents are powerful evidence. Your legal team will work to uncover records that place you in direct contact with the herbicide.

Pesticide Purchase Records: Invoices, receipts, or financial statements showing the purchase of Paraquat or its brand names (like Gramoxone) are incredibly valuable.
Employer Records: We can subpoena your former employers for records of pesticide purchases, application logs, or safety data sheets that identify the chemicals used during your employment.
Pay Stubs and Tax Documents: These records can help establish the timeframe you worked for a specific agricultural company or on a particular piece of land.

Witness Testimony

In many cases, records have been lost or were never kept. This is where witness testimony becomes essential.

Co-workers and Supervisors: Former colleagues can provide sworn statements (depositions) about the chemicals you used on the job and the safety precautions (or lack thereof) that were in place.
Neighbors and Family Members: People who lived with or near you may be able to testify about seeing you spray herbicides or about the frequent spraying that occurred on adjacent properties.

The Role of Medical Records and Expert Testimony

Proving exposure is only half the battle. You must also prove that the exposure led to your Parkinson’s diagnosis. This is done through your medical records and the opinions of highly qualified experts.

Comprehensive Medical Records

Your entire medical history is a cornerstone of your case. These records must clearly show:

A Formal Diagnosis: A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease from a qualified neurologist is essential.
The Onset of Symptoms: Documentation of when your symptoms (like tremors, stiffness, or balance issues) began helps create a timeline connecting your exposure to the development of the disease.
Ruling Out Other Causes: Your medical records will be reviewed to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms, such as genetic factors or other medical conditions.

Expert Medical Testimony

Your attorney will hire leading medical experts to review your case and provide a professional opinion. These experts, typically neurologists and toxicologists, will:

Analyze Your Medical and Exposure History: They will connect the dots between your work history, your exposure to Paraquat, and your specific medical diagnosis.
Provide a Causation Opinion: The expert will provide a sworn opinion that, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, your Paraquat exposure was a substantial contributing factor in the development of your Parkinson’s disease. This expert testimony is often the single most important element in proving your claim in court.

Overcoming Challenges in Proving Your Case

Manufacturers will fight aggressively to challenge the link between their product and your illness. They will argue that your exposure was minimal, that other factors caused your Parkinson’s, or that the scientific evidence is weak. An experienced attorney knows how to overcome these challenges.

Challenge: “You Can’t Prove You Used Paraquat.” We use a combination of work records, witness testimony, and geographic data to build a comprehensive picture of your exposure history, even without a direct receipt.
Challenge: “Something Else Caused Your Parkinson’s.” We use expert medical testimony to systematically rule out alternative causes and demonstrate that Paraquat was the most likely contributor.
Challenge: “The Science Isn’t Settled.” We leverage the extensive library of existing studies and the opinions of world-class scientists to show a jury that the link is clear and well-established.

How Walch Law Helps You Build a Winning Paraquat Case

You should not have to become a scientific expert or a private investigator to get justice. At Walch Law, we take on the entire burden of building your case so you can focus on your health.

Free, In-Depth Case Evaluation: We will provide a free, confidential consultation to review your work history and medical diagnosis and give you an honest assessment of your claim.
Comprehensive Evidence Gathering: Our team launches a full investigation to uncover every piece of evidence. We track down old employment records, interview witnesses, and leave no stone unturned in proving your exposure.
Access to World-Class Experts: We have a network of the nation’s leading neurologists, toxicologists, and epidemiologists who can provide the powerful expert testimony needed to win your case.
No Fee Unless We Win: We handle all Paraquat lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely no upfront costs. We only get paid if we secure a financial recovery for you and your family.

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one is battling Parkinson’s disease and you suspect a link to Paraquat, you have the right to seek answers and accountability. Your time to file a claim is limited by law, so it is vital to act quickly.

Contact the experienced toxic tort attorneys at Walch Law today for a free, no-obligation case review. Let us help you understand the path to proving your case and fight for the justice and financial security you deserve.