Paraquat Lawsuit: Filing a Parkinson's Disease Claim - Paraquat is a solid commercial herbicide used in commercial agriculture to control weeds and grass management. It is also a poisonous chemical, which is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) categorizes as "restricted use." In addition to other health risks, Paraquat exposure is connected to Parkinson's disease.
Paraquat is a solid commercial herbicide used in commercial agriculture to control weeds and grass management. It is also a poisonous chemical, which is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) categorizes as “restricted use.” In addition to other health risks, Paraquat exposure is connected to Parkinson’s disease.
If you, or anyone close to you, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s following exposure to Paraquat, You may be eligible for compensation for your condition and other injuries.
Contact one of our experts by calling The Justice Now today to verify your ability to make a Paraquat lawsuit.
What is Paraquat, and Where is it Used?
Paraquat, commonly referred to as Paraquat dichloride, is among the most frequently utilized herbicides around the globe. Some countries, including the European Union, Switzerland, and others, ban it. However, it is permitted to use within the United States under some restrictions.
Farm farms use Paraquat to kill grass, undesirable plants, and weeds. Due to the health hazards associated with this poisonous chemical and its toxic effects, Paraquat has been classified as a toxic chemical by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has put it on the listing as a “restricted use” chemical. Only farmers with specific permits can purchase, handle and apply for Paraquat.
Despite the limitations on Paraquat use across Paraquat’s use in the United States, people exposed to the herbicide or residing near farms that are spraying are at risk of developing the effects of Paraquat on their bodies, including Parkinson’s disease.
How to Tell if You’ve Been Exposed to Paraquat
Paraquat is typically sold with blue dye as well as an agent that gives it an odor that is strong to ensure it’s not mistaken for drinks. Despite these precautions, it can be mixed easily with drinks and food.
Common types of exposure are:
- Swallowing
- Skin exposure
- Inhalation
- Paraquat-contaminated food or drink
Herbicides that have Paraquat
Items that have Paraquat dichloride in their active ingredients are:
- Blanco
- Devour
- Firestorm
- Gramoxone
- Hemquat
- Para-Shot 3.0
- Parazone
- Tota-col
If you are a worker with any of these substances or live in areas where these products are sprayed, you could have come in contact with this harmful chemical.
Risk Factors for Paraquat Exposure
Licensees Paraquat applicators are the ones most exposed to the chemical; however, since it is usually sprayed onto open fields, people who aren’t directly working with the herbicide could also be exposed.
The list of those who could have exposure to Paraquat includes:
- Farmers
- Farmworker
- Landscapers
- Other workers in the agricultural sector
- Rural residents living near agricultural land are sprayed with Paraquat
- Anyone who works in the vicinity of pesticides of professional quality
Paraquat Poisoning Symptoms
Paraquat can cause direct damage to the oral lining stomach, intestines, or mouth after it is consumed. Then, it spreads throughout the body, causing harm to the liver, kidneys, and lungs.
The symptoms of poisoning can depend on the quantity of chemicals that a person is exposed to; however, the most immediate signs are:
- The swelling and pain can be felt in the throat and mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Low blood pressure
The chemical in small-to-medium quantities could cause the following health effects in the course of a few days or weeks:
- Heart Failure
- Kidney Failure
- Liver Failure
- Lung Scarring
The following can happen in the course of a few days or hours if a person has been exposed to significant quantities of herbicide:
- Confusion
- Muscle weakness
- Seizures
- Heart rate rapid
- Coma
- Lung fluid
- Liver failure
- Lung scarring
- Acute kidney failure
- A fatal respiratory failure
Parkinson’s Disease’s Links to Paraquat Exposure
Parkinson’s disease is an illness that affects the nervous system of central origin, which results in brain cells gradually ceasing to function. It is among the most rapidly-growing neurological disorders in the world.
While the connection between Paraquat and Parkinson’s disease hasn’t been proven, researchers have suggested that individuals have an increased chance of developing the disease after exposure to the herbicide.
An analysis of several studies found that pesticide exposure has an over 50% chance of developing Parkinson’s. The longer you are exposed to Paraquat is prolonged, the higher the likelihood of contracting Parkinson’s.
Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease differ significantly between people, based on the severity of the disease and severity, but there are common symptoms in most instances.
Motor symptoms common to Parkinson’s disease are:
- Rigidity
- Slower movement
- Dizziness
- Falls
- You feel like you’re freezing
- Muscle cramps
- Repetitive twisting or bending movements caused by involuntary muscle contractions (dystonia)
- Tremors
A very commonly reported motor symptom of the disease is dyskinesia, or the unpredictable and involuntary movement of the trunk, limbs, and face. Dyskinesia does not represent a specific manifestation of the disease. It is a result of the drugs frequently used in treating the disease.
Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Many Parkinson’s symptoms are as evident as the motor signs typically connected with the condition. There are numerous incapacitating, non-motor signs that could be associated with Parkinson’s:
- Anxiety
- Cognitive changes
- Depression
- Uncertainties in the senses of smell
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Personality shifts
- Psychosis
- Sleeping issues
- Sweating
- Weight loss
How Long Does it Take for Paraquat Exposure to Cause Parkinson’s?
Researchers have found that prolonged exposure to Paraquat, even at deficient levels, may cause an increase in the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease. A study found that people who had prolonged exposure to Paraquat, even when they were still young, had the risk of being 200-600% more likely to develop the disease.
It’s difficult to determine the time it takes for one to develop Parkinson’s disease after exposure to Paraquat. Certain factors, such as the exposure level and the time when they first started being exposed, can influence the course of progression of the disease.
For instance, those who consume foods that have been sprayed with the herbicide Paraquat are at risk of a higher chance of developing Parkinson’s disease. People who work in food or agricultural jobs are most vulnerable. The more frequently someone has to be exposed to Paraquat, the higher their chance of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Countries Where Paraquat Usage Has Been Banned
Although Paraquat remains allowed in the United States, over thirty countries have prohibited it or, at a minimum or restricted its usage. More than 15 million acres were utilized across the US in the past year.
This chemical is prohibited from the following states:
- China
- Brazil
- The European Union
- Switzerland
Filing a Paraquat Lawsuit Claim
One of the earliest Paraquat suits was brought in 2017 in Illinois to Syngenta and Growmark, two companies producing Paraquat products. The lawsuit was brought by a farmer who claimed to have utilized Paraquat on his land from the 1970s to the 90s. He had been diagnosed as having Parkinson’s at the age of 44 in 1998.
New Paraquat lawsuits have been filed in various states and are currently in different phases of legal procedure. The Bryant Law Center is taking new claims and evaluating cases to determine whether they qualify.
Paraquat Lawsuit Eligibility
Individuals who were subjected to Paraquat, after which they were diagnosed as having Parkinson’s, could be able to sue any person or entity that is deemed to be accountable for their injuries.
If you’ve had a diagnosis of Parkinson’s and believe that your condition could be traced to Paraquat in the first place, legal avenues are available. The best choice is to talk with an experienced personal injury lawyer to analyze the case and determine whether a feasible claim can be made.
The following individuals could be eligible to make a Paraquat lawsuit:
- People who used, sprayed, or came in contact with Paraquat
- Employees of a company that utilized Paraquat
- People who live close to farms in which Paraquat is spray
- The people who were exposed to herbicides
If you’ve been exposed to Paraquat and then later developed Parkinson’s disease, it is recommended that you contact an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer through Bryant Law Center. Bryant Law Center as soon as you can to begin with your claim.
Proving Paraquat Exposure
While farmers might be aware of the chemicals they employ on their farms, it’s possible for those living close to the farms and are exposed to agricultural chemicals like Paraquat without knowing it.
If you have Parkinson’s disease and live close to a farm, consulting with a seasoned mass torts lawyer is crucial. Lawyers can examine your case and determine whether there’s a link between your health condition and exposure to Paraquat.
Who Should File a Paraquat Lawsuit?
If you’ve suffered any injuries or loss due to exposure to Paraquat, It is crucial to talk with a reliable personal injury lawyer. The lawyer will assess the eligibility to file an action.
A lawsuit filed to seek damages from Paraquat can not only supply you with a reimbursement for your injury and suffering. Still, it will also bring justice by holding corporations who are accountable.
If you file a lawsuit with an attorney, you cannot just seek reimbursement for medical expenses and lost wages but also raise awareness of the potential dangers of the chemical.
Have There Been Any Settlements for Paraquat Lawsuits?
No settlements or jury verdicts have been granted in Paraquat cases. However, lawyers are taking new cases.
When more cases are brought, the likelihood of a class-action or multidistrict lawsuit (MDL) increases. The past results don’t indicate the future outcome, but defective product claims involving many people can be combined into these types of lawsuits.
If a multidistrict lawsuit was developed for the lawsuits of Paraquat Parkinson, this could result in the plaintiffs obtaining a global settlement where they all receive an agreed-upon settlement from herbicide producers and other defendants.
Contact a Paraquat Lawsuit Experts at the The Justice Now
The disease is debilitating and can be fatal, and the symptoms worsen with time. If you or someone in your family has had a diagnosis and think that the illness was caused by exposure to herbicides, contact a seasoned attorney for personal injuries as quickly as possible.
We are The Justice Now; we have years of experience helping injured victims receive the fair compensation they are entitled to in cases of product liability, such as Paraquat lawsuits.
- Our experts are available to help through the following:
- How do you determine your eligibility and legal alternatives?
- Inquiring into your case for the evidence to prove that your case was exposed Paraquat
- Obtaining the evidence to prove the liability
- Finding out the totality of your losses
- Negotiating the amount you’re due for your injuries and proceeding to trial when the opposing side isn’t willing to give an acceptable settlement
There is nothing to lose by contacting an of our personal injury lawyers. We provide free consultations and operate on a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing until we win your case.
The time limit will likely restrict the time for filing a Paraquat lawsuit. Call The Justice Now for a free consultation and for more details on what we can do to help you.
FAQ
What is the period between exposure and the appearance signs?
Experts and toxicologists agree that it can take up to 10 years to cause Parkinsonian symptoms.
Is this a spray I would have used in my garden?
No. This pesticide is restricted and intended to be used by properly trained and certified applicators in large agricultural settings, wearing appropriate clothing for safety.
If you have a family member with Parkinson’s symptoms, what else could be causing the symptoms?
Of course. About 20-30% of all new Parkinson’s cases are thought to have been caused by exposure to poisons. Other causes may be related to genetics or exposure to other neurotoxins.
Is there a treatment for Parkinson’s?
No. There is currently no cure for the illness.
What happens to Paraquat?
Paraquat is one of the neurotoxins believed to be responsible for the loss of function of the dopamine neuron cells in a tiny part of the brain.
What can I do to determine whether I was exposed? Do I have any biomarkers?
No. If you worked as a commercial herbicide sprayer crop duster or wore protective equipment if you were employed on a farm, it is recommended that you seek out an attorney to discuss the legal choices.
