Ortho Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit Overview

Saiontz & Kirk is investigating Ortho and Ortho-Klor Parkinson’s disease cases for individuals who experienced repeated exposure to older pest-control products that contained chlorpyrifos, and subsequently developed this devastating neurological condition.

The lawsuits may involve two distinct types of products. Ortho Home Pest Insect Control was used inside homes and apartments for common household pests, while Ortho-Klor Soil Insect & Termite Killer was a concentrated chlorpyrifos product used for termite treatment, lawns, trees, shrubs and areas around building foundations.

That distinction matters because exposure could occur in very different settings, and most individuals were not aware of which insecticides contained chlorpyrifos. Some individuals may have been exposed through repeated indoor household spraying, while others regularly handled, mixed or applied concentrated Ortho-Klor outdoors over extended periods of time.

Similar residential exposure may have occurred among individuals who repeatedly used other popular household pest-control products containing chlorpyrifos, including Raid and Dursban, which were also marketed for controlling insects in and around homes and other occupied buildings.

In addition to claims involving Ortho and other residential products, chlorpyrifos Parkinson’s disease lawsuits are also being pursued for other types of exposure, including agricultural use of commercial products like Lorsban and pesticide exposure among Gulf War veterans during military operations in the Persian Gulf region from 1990 through 1991.

Our lawyers are reviewing the specific Ortho product used, the years and frequency of exposure, where it was applied and whether the formulation contained chlorpyrifos to determine which Parkinson’s disease claims may qualify for compensation.

Ortho & Ortho-Klor Parkinson’s Disease Risk

Certain older Ortho pest-control products contained chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate insecticide that interferes with normal nerve signaling by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase.

The concern for Ortho users is not limited to one type of application. Some products were sprayed inside homes, while others were concentrated formulations mixed and applied around lawns, landscaping, trees and building foundations.

A study published in Molecular Neurodegeneration evaluated 829 individuals with Parkinson’s disease and 824 controls and found that substantial long-term residential chlorpyrifos exposure was associated with more than a 2.5-fold increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers also found neurological changes in mice exposed to chlorpyrifos, including dopamine-producing neuron loss, motor impairment, neuroinflammation and increased pathological alpha-synuclein.

Those findings are relevant to individuals who repeatedly used Ortho products containing chlorpyrifos over extended periods of time.

Could Ortho Exposure Cause Parkinson’s Disease?

Individuals who were routinely exposed to Ortho and Ortho-Klor products containing chlorpyrifos could be at an increased risk of developing neurological injuries.

Parkinson’s disease develops when dopamine-producing neurons involved in movement and coordination become damaged or die. Researchers believe chlorpyrifos may contribute to that process through several mechanisms, including:

• Dopamine neuron loss: Chlorpyrifos exposure has been associated with damage to dopamine-producing neurons.
• Alpha-synuclein accumulation: Researchers found increased pathological alpha-synuclein, a protein closely associated with Parkinson’s disease.
• Neuroinflammation: Chlorpyrifos may activate inflammatory responses in the brain.
• Autophagy dysfunction: Exposure may interfere with cellular processes used to remove damaged proteins and other waste.
• Oxidative stress: Chlorpyrifos has been associated with cellular stress that may make neurons more vulnerable to injury.
• Mitochondrial dysfunction: Research suggests exposure may interfere with cellular energy systems needed to keep dopamine-producing neurons functioning properly.

These findings do not mean every person exposed to chlorpyrifos will develop Parkinson’s disease. However, they have increased concerns about the effects of repeated long-term exposure.

Which Ortho Products Contained Chlorpyrifos?

Not every Ortho pesticide contained chlorpyrifos. However, historical EPA records identify specific Ortho and Ortho-Klor products that did. Two products are particularly important to the current investigation because they involved very different types of use.

Ortho Home Pest Insect Control

Ortho Home Pest Insect Control was a ready-to-use household pesticide intended to kill roaches, fleas, ants and other insects in and around residential living areas.

An EPA-approved label for Ortho Home Pest Insect Control identifies chlorpyrifos at 0.50% and states that the product contained Dursban insecticide.

Directions included treatment of areas inside the home, including floor coverings and pet areas, making this product particularly relevant to individuals who regularly treated recurring household pest problems.

The product was also part of Ortho’s consumer residential pest-control line rather than a pesticide limited to licensed commercial applicators, meaning it was commonly sold in home and garden stores nationwide during its time on the market.

Ortho-Klor Soil Insect & Termite Killer

Ortho-Klor Soil Insect & Termite Killer was a much more concentrated chlorpyrifos product intended primarily for outdoor residential pest control.

An EPA-approved label for Ortho-Klor Soil Insect & Termite Killer identifies chlorpyrifos as the active ingredient and documents uses involving building foundations, termites, lawns, trees, shrubs and other outdoor areas.

Unlike ready-to-use household sprays, Ortho-Klor was sold as a concentrate that was diluted before application. The product was used for:

• Termite control
• Foundation treatments
• Lawn insects
• Trees and shrubs
• Landscape pest control
• Wood-destroying insects
• Other outdoor residential applications

These products were sold before residential chlorpyrifos uses were largely eliminated beginning in 2000. The EPA later moved to eliminate nearly all indoor and outdoor homeowner uses after raising concerns about residential exposure, particularly among children.

Who Was Most Likely to Use Ortho Products?

Exposure depended largely on which Ortho product was being used. With Ortho Home Pest Insect Control, exposure may have occurred through repeated spraying inside homes and apartments while treating roaches, fleas, ants and other pests.

With Ortho-Klor, exposure may have involved handling a concentrated pesticide while measuring, pouring, mixing and applying it to outdoor areas. Potential exposure scenarios included:

• Homeowners and renters repeatedly spraying indoor living areas
• Individuals treating recurring flea, roach or ant infestations
• Homeowners performing termite treatments around foundations
• Homeowners maintaining lawns, trees and landscaping
• Landscapers and groundskeepers applying qualifying Ortho products
• Pest-control and maintenance workers using chlorpyrifos-containing formulations
• Individuals mixing concentrated Ortho-Klor before application
• Workers cleaning spray equipment after repeated pesticide use

The type of product, frequency of use and manner of application may all help determine the extent of an individual’s chlorpyrifos exposure.

Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms After Ortho Exposure

Most residential chlorpyrifos uses were eliminated decades ago, but Parkinson’s disease may not be diagnosed until many years after the exposure occurred.

Symptoms often develop gradually and can affect both movement and other neurological functions.

Movement and Coordination Symptoms

• Tremors or shaking
• Slowed movement
• Muscle stiffness
• Difficulty walking
• Balance problems
• Changes in posture
• Reduced facial expression
• Smaller handwriting
• Speech changes

Non-Movement and Neurological Symptoms

• Loss of smell
• Sleep problems
• Fatigue
• Depression or mood changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory or cognitive changes
• Constipation
• Dizziness or blood pressure changes

Some individuals may notice non-movement symptoms years before more obvious tremors, stiffness or walking problems develop.

Individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who used older Ortho products should try to remember whether the pesticide was used indoors, around foundations, on lawns or landscaping, or for termite treatment. Those details may help identify which chlorpyrifos-containing formulation was involved.

What Details Can Help Identify an Older Ortho Product?

Many individuals will no longer have a pesticide container that was used decades ago. However, the way an Ortho product was used may provide important clues about which formulation was involved.

Helpful information may include:

• Approximate years of use
• Whether the product was used indoors or outdoors
• Whether it came ready to spray or had to be mixed with water
• Whether it was used for roaches, fleas or ants
• Whether it was used for termite or foundation treatment
• Whether it was sprayed on lawns, trees or shrubs
• How often the product was used
• Any remembered product names, packaging or container features
• Old photographs, receipts or containers

Ortho Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit Allegations

Ortho Parkinson’s disease lawsuits may allege that companies responsible for chlorpyrifos-containing Ortho products failed to adequately investigate and warn about the neurological risks associated with repeated exposure.

Claims may allege that manufacturers:

• Failed to adequately study the effects of long-term chlorpyrifos exposure
• Failed to investigate whether repeated exposure could increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease
• Sold residential pest-control products that were unreasonably dangerous when used as intended
• Failed to warn about the potential for permanent neurological injury
• Failed to adequately disclose evidence concerning chlorpyrifos neurotoxicity
• Marketed chlorpyrifos products for repeated household, termite, lawn and landscape use
• Failed to provide adequate warnings for individuals handling concentrated pesticide formulations
• Focused warnings on immediate poisoning rather than neurological diseases that may appear years later
• Failed to adequately warn homeowners, landscapers, pest-control workers and others about chronic exposure risks

Historical labels warned about immediate pesticide hazards, including risks from swallowing, inhaling or absorbing chlorpyrifos through the skin. However, lawsuits may allege those warnings did not adequately inform users that repeated exposure could contribute to Parkinson’s disease many years later.

Each case will require an individual review of the Ortho product involved, the duration and frequency of exposure, how it was handled and the Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.

Compensation From an Ortho Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit

A Parkinson’s disease diagnosis can lead to years of treatment and progressively affect an individual’s mobility, independence, employment and ability to perform everyday activities.

Compensation pursued through an Ortho Parkinson’s disease lawsuit may include:

• Medical expenses
• Future treatment and medical care
• Parkinson’s disease medications
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Lost income
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Loss of independence
• Home assistance
• Long-term care costs

The amount of compensation available will depend on the individual’s exposure history, diagnosis, progression of Parkinson’s disease, financial losses and other case-specific circumstances.

Contact an Ortho Parkinson’s Disease Lawyer

If you or a loved one developed Parkinson’s disease after repeatedly using older Ortho Home Pest, Ortho-Klor or another chlorpyrifos-containing Ortho product, Saiontz & Kirk can review whether the pesticide involved may support a claim.

Our lawyers can evaluate the years of use, where the pesticide was applied, whether the product required mixing and historical registration records to determine whether chlorpyrifos was involved.

There are no upfront costs for a case evaluation or to hire our lawyers. All cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means attorney fees and expenses are only paid if a recovery is obtained.

Call 1-800-522-0102 or complete the form to speak with an Ortho Parkinson’s disease lawyer.

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