Ohio Vineyard Owner Sues Pesticide Maker After Parkinson's Diagnosis

Dave Jilbert, a 66-year-old vineyard owner from central Ohio, is suing pesticide manufacturer Syngenta after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021. Jilbert claims that his diagnosis is linked to his use of paraquat, a toxic herbicide he employed while managing his 16-acre vineyard from 2014 to 2018.

Despite no definitive cause of Parkinson's, research indicates that environmental factors contribute significantly, with neurologist Ray Dorsey noting that 87% of Parkinson's cases lack genetic risk factors.

Jilbert's lawsuit argues he was exposed to paraquat during application, which allegedly entered his bloodstream and harmed his nervous system. The case is part of a larger trend, as Jilbert joins thousands of others in litigation against Syngenta and Chevron USA, asserting that the companies were aware of paraquat's dangers yet continued to sell it.

While paraquat has been banned in over 70 countries, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which re-registered the pesticide for use in 2021, did not find a clear link to Parkinson's. Jilbert has become an advocate for banning paraquat, lobbying Congress and participating in discussions about its potential risks.

He has expressed concern for others who may face similar health issues, stating, 'I don't want people to be damaged like me.' Currently, negotiations for a settlement may affect thousands of other cases, but without resolution, the litigation could proceed to trial in 2026.