An Opp, Alabama, farmer, Mac Barlow, has sued Syngenta and other companies, alleging that years of using the herbicide paraquat caused his Parkinson’s disease. Barlow, who grows peanuts, soybeans and corn, says he routinely applied paraquat to prepare his fields and that manufacturers failed to warn about neurological risks. He joins thousands of plaintiffs pursuing similar claims. The allegations are part of a broader wave of litigation and have not been adjudicated.
Opp Farmer Sues Paraquat Maker, Alleging Herbicide Caused Parkinson’s
An Opp, Alabama, farmer has filed suit alleging that exposure to the herbicide paraquat led to his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.
Who: Mac Barlow, a lifelong farmer who raises peanuts, soybeans and corn on his family farm near Opp.
What: Barlow says he used the weed killer paraquat to prepare fields for planting and has named Syngenta — and related parties including Chevron — in a lawsuit claiming the companies failed to warn users about the product’s potential neurological risks.
Legal context: The complaint is part of a wave of litigation in which thousands of plaintiffs nationwide allege a link between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease. The lawsuits seek damages and contend manufacturers should have disclosed the risks. These are allegations; the claims have not been proven in court.
Background: Paraquat is a widely used herbicide. Plaintiffs in multiple cases argue long-term or repeated exposure can increase the risk of neurological disorders. Defendants in those cases have disputed some of the scientific claims and the scope of liability.
What’s next: The legal process will determine whether manufacturers bear liability. Barlow’s case adds to ongoing litigation and public scrutiny over paraquat’s safety. Stay with WDHN for updates on developments in this and related cases.
