06/16/2026
The judge overseeing the federal Paraquat MDL has ordered limited discovery and depositions after an unusually large number of plaintiffs declined proposed settlement offers.
Court records indicate that more than 80% to 90% of eligible claimants represented by certain law firms opted out, prompting concerns about the settlement process and plaintiff participation.
To better understand the reasons behind the high opt-out rates, the court selected a portion of those cases for additional review, including plaintiff fact sheets, depositions, and verification of exposure evidence.
The move signals increased judicial scrutiny as settlement negotiations continue in one of the nation's largest toxic tort litigations involving allegations that Paraquat exposure caused Parkinson's disease.
With thousands of cases still pending, the outcome of this discovery process could significantly influence the future direction of Paraquat settlement discussions and ongoing litigation.