Top 3 Jobs That Lead to Paraquat Exposure in California

California is the agricultural heartland of the nation, a role made possible by the hard work of millions of people. For many of these workers, the job involves handling powerful chemicals designed to protect crops and manage land. One of the most potent and dangerous of these is Paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide used extensively on farms and commercial properties throughout the state. While effective at killing weeds, it comes at a devastating human cost. A strong and growing body of scientific evidence links Paraquat exposure to an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

The manufacturers of this chemical are now facing thousands of lawsuits from individuals who have been diagnosed with this incurable neurodegenerative disorder. The lawsuits allege that companies like Syngenta and Chevron knew about the neurotoxic risks of Paraquat for years but failed to warn the public, especially the workers who were most exposed.

At Walch Law, we are dedicated to fighting for workers who have been harmed by dangerous products. Understanding your occupational risk is the first step toward seeking justice. This guide identifies the top three jobs in California with the highest risk of Paraquat exposure and explains your legal rights if you are now facing a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

The Dangers of Paraquat

Paraquat is so lethally toxic that it is a “restricted use” chemical in the United States, meaning only commercially licensed applicators are legally permitted to handle it. Ingesting even a small amount is often fatal, and there is no known antidote. While acute poisoning is a major concern, the more insidious danger for workers comes from chronic, long-term exposure.

Studies show that Paraquat can enter the brain and trigger oxidative stress, a process that kills the specific dopamine-producing neurons whose loss is the hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. This can lead to tremors, muscle rigidity, loss of balance, and other debilitating motor symptoms.

Top 3 Jobs with the Highest Paraquat Exposure Risk

While many occupations can involve pesticide exposure, three roles in California stand out for their direct and frequent contact with Paraquat.

1. Agricultural Farmworkers

Farmworkers are the backbone of California’s agricultural industry, but they are also on the front lines of toxic chemical exposure. Even if you were not the person spraying the chemical, you could have been exposed daily.

How Exposure Happens:
- Spray Drift: Working in or near fields during or shortly after Paraquat has been applied is a primary route of exposure. Wind can carry toxic droplets throughout the area.
- Re-entry into Treated Fields: Re-entering a field to perform tasks like thinning, weeding, or harvesting too soon after spraying can expose workers to Paraquat residue on plants and in the soil.
- Contaminated Equipment and Irrigation: Handling irrigation pipes, tools, or machinery that has been contaminated with Paraquat can lead to skin exposure.
Who Is at Risk: Anyone working on farms that grow crops commonly treated with Paraquat, such as almonds, grapes, cotton, and pistachios.

2. Licensed Pesticide Applicators

As a licensed applicator, you were trained and certified to handle these dangerous chemicals. You likely trusted that following the safety protocols was enough to protect you. Unfortunately, the evidence suggests that was not the case.

How Exposure Happens:
- Mixing and Loading: This is one of the highest-risk activities. Spills and splashes are common, and inhaling fumes from the concentrated product can lead to significant exposure.
- Spraying Operations: Despite protective gear, applicators can inhale aerosolized Paraquat droplets, and the chemical can be absorbed through the skin. Malfunctioning equipment, like a leaking hose or nozzle, dramatically increases this risk.
- Cleaning and Repairing Equipment: Cleaning spray tanks and equipment without adequate protection can expose you to concentrated chemical residues.
Who Is at Risk: Any individual holding a California Qualified Applicator License (QAL) or Certificate (QAC) who has personally mixed, loaded, or sprayed Paraquat.

3. Landscapers and Groundskeepers

The use of Paraquat is not limited to farms. It is also used for commercial vegetation management to clear weeds along roadways, in industrial parks, and on other large properties.

How Exposure Happens:
- Roadside and Right-of-Way Spraying: Applying herbicides to control weeds along highways, railroad tracks, and under power lines can result in significant exposure.
- Commercial Property Management: Groundskeepers for large commercial or industrial facilities may use Paraquat for non-selective weed control in non-public areas.
- Handling Contaminated Tools: Using mowers, trimmers, or other landscaping equipment that has come into contact with treated areas can lead to skin exposure.
Who Is at Risk: Employees of public works departments, Caltrans, utility companies, and private commercial landscaping companies tasked with large-scale vegetation control.

Your Legal Rights as an Injured Worker

If you worked in one of these high-risk jobs and have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, you have the right to file a product liability lawsuit. It is crucial to understand that these lawsuits are not filed against your employer. They are filed directly against the manufacturers of Paraquat for creating a defective product and failing to warn you of its true dangers.

To build a successful case, your legal team must prove:

A history of occupational exposure to Paraquat.
A medical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
A causal link between the exposure and the illness, established through scientific evidence and expert testimony.

A successful claim can provide compensation for all your damages, including medical bills, lost income, the cost of future care, and your pain and suffering.

How Walch Law Fights for California’s Workers

You dedicated your career to a demanding and essential job. You should not have to pay the price for a chemical company’s alleged negligence. The attorneys at Walch Law have the experience and resources to take on these powerful corporations and fight for the justice you deserve.

Free, Confidential Consultation: We will review your work history and medical diagnosis at no cost and provide a clear, honest assessment of your legal options.
Comprehensive Investigation: We take on the burden of proof. Our team will gather your employment records, applicator licenses, and medical files to build a powerful case demonstrating your exposure.
Collaboration with Leading Experts: We work with top neurologists, toxicologists, and occupational health experts who can provide the powerful scientific testimony needed to link your Parkinson’s disease to Paraquat.
No Fee Unless We Win: We handle all Paraquat cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing unless we secure financial compensation for you and your family. We are your partners in this fight.

Contact Us Today for a Free Case Review

If you worked in one of California’s high-risk occupations and are now battling Parkinson’s disease, do not wait to seek help. The time to file a claim is strictly limited.

Contact the experienced product liability attorneys at Walch Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you understand your rights and fight for the financial security and accountability your family deserves.