Paraquat is one of the world's most commonly used herbicides to control grass and weeds in farming. As a result of its increased toxicity, paraquat has been banned in many countries, and in the United States can only be sourced from licensed dealers. According to the Center For Disease Control and Protection, paraquat is highly poisonous and has been linked to the development of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system and occurs when the nerves in the brain do not produce enough dopamine. 

Besides the results of the extensive research on the effects of this herbicide, Grow mark, Syngenta, and Chevron chemicals have downplayed the effects of this drug. If you or your loved one has been harmed by exposure to paraquat, you need to speak with a competent attorney. Also, we could link you to a competent lawyer to help you join a mass tort against the manufactures of the product.

Paraquat Exposure

Paraquat is an herbicide used in commercial agriculture and ground keeping to kill weeds and grass. The use of paraquat has risen in popularity, and many people use it as an alternative to roundup. Paraquat is manufactured and sold in the following brand names:

  • Paraquat
  • Bonfire herbicide
  • Firestone
  • Devour
  • Blanco
  • Para zone

According to research, the structure of paraquat has shown a similar structure to active metabolite linked to damage and death of brain cells. Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that affects movement. Although the exact cause of this condition is unknown, the disease has been associated with prolonged exposure to genetic mutants like paraquat. The loss of brain cells caused by paraquat causes neurons' breakdown, resulting in Parkinson's disease.

Exposure to paraquat can occur in several ways, including:

  • Inhalation. Inhalation of paraquat can cause serious health issues, including permanent lung damage. The risk of exposure to this pesticide through inhalation often affects individuals who live up to 1,600 feet of its use.
  • Ingestion. Ingestion is the most likely route through which paraquat enters your body. It may be difficult to detect that the chemical contaminated you without safe additives like dye. Consumption of paraquat even in the smallest dosage can be deadly.
  • Skin exposure. Paraquat poisoning that occurs through skin exposure is more likely to happen when the exposure is prolonged. If you have broken skin or sores, the herbicide may enter your body through these openings. Individuals who come into contact with vehicle materials. Clothing or furniture that has been touched with paraquat can suffer the side effects of exposure to the herbicide.

The link between Paraquat and Parkinson's disease

Paraquat has been used for almost 50 years in the United States Agricultural sector. Despite its risks being known for years. Paraquat was initially manufactured in the United States, and research done in the 1980s revealed the presence of a contaminant that destroyed neurons and contributed to Parkinson's disease. In 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that the loading mixing and application process represented the primary exposure to the chemical.

Additionally, the agency suggested that individuals living near farms have been used despite the weed killer not being registered for residential use. This is because the effects of the weed killer can be felt up to 1,600 feet.

Despite the apparent danger resulting from prolonged exposure to paraquat, the famous brand of gramoxone is still in use. According to an agricultural health study done in 2011, individuals who have been in contact with paraquat were more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those with no exposure. In 2019, a bill seeking to ban the use of paraquat in the United States was introduced, but the product is still legal. 

After exposure to paraquat, you may experience symptoms like skin irritation, rashes, extreme redness, or chemical burns. Individuals who ingest paraquat may experience nausea, vomiting, mouth swelling, stomach aches, and dehydration. Long time exposure to paraquat could result in lung compilations, liver failure, coma, development of Parkinson's disease, and even death.

Many people exposed to paraquat have reported an early development of Parkinson's disease, a nerve disorder. Through a study done with rats, paraquat has been shown to cause lung cancer. Also, it causes damage to the nerves of the brain and heart when inhaled or ingested. Some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease associated with paraquat exposure include:

  • Slowed movement. Parkinson's disease could slow your movement making routine tasks very challenging.
  • Tremor. Shaking that starts in the limbs, fingers, and hands is one of the most common symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease.
  • Muscle rigidity. The development of Parkinson's disease can cause your muscles to become stiff, which can be painful and limit motion.
  • Changes in speech. Some speech changes that could occur due to Parkinson's disease may include difficulty raising your voice and slurred speech.
  • Loss of unconscious movements. Parkinson's affects unconscious movements such as blinking, smiling, or even swinging your arms as you walk.

Other non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease that could affect your daily life include:

  • Cognitive problems. In advanced stages of Parkinson's disease, difficulty thinking, dementia, and other cognitive problems are common.
  • Trouble swallowing. With the progression of Parkinson's, you may experience difficulty swallowing, which results in drooling.
  • Sleeping difficulties. Parkinson's disease could cause sleep problems and sleep disorders, making one wake up at night frequently.
  • Bladder problems. Patients with Parkinson's disease may have trouble controlling urine.

Filing a Paraquat Lawsuit after Diagnosis with Parkinson's disease

When you have Parkinson's disease protecting your health and rights may not be the first thing to mind. Many people have little or no idea that exposure to paraquat may be the main contributing factor to their illness. Therefore, it is essential to understand the legal path you need to take to ensure that the people responsible for your condition are held accountable for their actions.

Some of the individuals that could be eligible to file paraquat lawsuits are:

  • Individuals are working with commercial pesticides and weed killers.
  • Agricultural works which are in constant contact with paraquat.
  • Residents of areas around farmlands where paraquat is commonly used on crops.
  • Any other person diagnosed with Parkinson's disease after visiting a farm where the weed killer is used.

When you or your loved one has developed Parkinson's disease due to exposure to paraquat, you can file a lawsuit against the manufacturers. In a case against Syngenta, one of the leading manufacturers of this herbicide, the attorneys hold the company accountable because:

  • They should have known that the herbicide was dangerous. Extensive research has been done on paraquat, and the results show that the product is highly toxic. Therefore, the manufacturers should have known of the threats it poses.
  • They failed to warn consumers. Manufacturers and distributors of paraquat have been accused of downplaying the dangerous effects of paraquat exposure. They fail to warn their customers of these effects adequately by doing so.
  • They designed and marketed the product negligently. Manufacturers of all products are responsible for correctly selling the product, indicating its ingredients and possible side effects.
  • The manufacturers failed to take appropriate steps to protect users from the effects of paraquat exposure. For a long time, paraquat has been linked to many health complications, including Parkinson's disease. Even with this research, the manufacturers have not taken any steps to protect their customers.

Living with Parkinson's disease can be very expensive. Since these conditions affect your motor skills, your daily life may be significantly impaired. Also, you will be left paying hefty medical bills to relieve the symptoms of this condition. By filing a lawsuit against paraquat manufacturers, you can recover compensation for:

Medical Bills

Although Parkinson's disease has no cure, therapy, medicines, or even surgery can relieve the symptoms. Medications used to treat Parkinson's disease may include:

  • Drugs that help increase dopamine levels. The primary therapy for Parkinson's is the L-dopa used by brain nerves to make dopamine and replenish the brain's supply.
  • Drugs that relieve non-motor symptoms.

If your brain fails to respond to medications, the doctors may opt for deep brain stimulation. Deep brain stimulation is a surgical procedure where electrodes are implanted in your brain. These implants will painlessly stimulate the brain to correct non-motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease. Therefore, when you file a successful lawsuit against the manufacturer of paraquat, you can recover compensation for all the medical expenses you incurred.

Lost Wages

The symptoms of Parkinson's disease begin as mild and progress as the condition progresses. Due to the changes in motor skills associated with the disease, you will likely miss out on work. Also, the treatment procedures can be very extensive and could keep you from employment. Lost wages are the money you lose when you fail to work. You may be compensated for your lost wages if you have Parkinson's disease due to paraquat exposure.

If you cannot work due to Parkinson's disease, you could face early retirement, resulting in the loss of employer-sponsored healthcare benefits. Therefore, the medical expenses needed to manage the condition become unbearable.

Lost Future Earnings

Sometimes, Parkinson's disease may leave you entirely or partially disabled. This could make it difficult for you to return to your job and earn a living. If paraquat exposure causes disability, you could seek compensation for lost future earnings in your paraquat lawsuit.

Pain and suffering

Parkinson's disease is a life-changing condition with all the symptoms associated with the requirements, and you could experience both physical and mental pain and suffering. Although you cannot place a dollar value on pain and suffering, you can recover for these damages from a paraquat lawsuit.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Paraquat Exposure Linked with Parkinson's disease.

The risk of developing Parkinson's due to exposure to paraquat has been known for decades. However, companies have kept manufacturing the product and putting profits priority to other people's health. The following are some frequently asked questions on exposure of paraquat and Parkinson's disease:

  1. How can I Prove my exposure to paraquat?

Paraquat exposure may be easier to prove in some instances than others. If you have worked in an industry or setting where you are familiar with pesticides, you can easily claim that exposure to paraquat resulted in the condition. However, if you live near an area where the product is used, you may not even be aware of your exposure to the chemical. If you or your loved one battles Parkinson's disease due to exposure to paraquat, you will require competent legal guidance to navigate the lawsuit.

  1. Why should I file a paraquat lawsuit?

There are several reasons why you should file a paraquat lawsuit when you are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease after exposure to paraquat. A successful paraquat lawsuit can help you:

  • Recover compensation to cover your medical bills and other losses from the disease.
  • Spread awareness on the dangers of paraquat to other people who may be at risk of suffering a similar fate.
  • Hold the manufacturer and distributors of the weak killer accountable for their negligence.

Whether you have used paraquat or lived on a farm where the weed killer is constantly applied, you will be eligible to file a lawsuit.

Process of Joining a Mass Tort for Paraquat

Currently, at least twenty lawsuits are pending in different federal district courts against paraquat manufacturers. Recent developments with the EPA regarding paraquat have increased the attention on the dangers of this herbicide. As more people file lawsuits, there is an increased likelihood that paraquat will be the next mass tort. A mass tort involves a large group of plaintiffs suing a common defendant. If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease due to exposure to paraquat, you may be eligible to join a mass tort for the product.

Join a Mass Tort Near Me

Paraquat is a poisonous herbicide whose exposure has several health effects, including the development of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a nervous system disease characterized by limb rigidity, tremors, and gait problems. Paraquat has been very dangerous, and its manufacturers have failed to inform its consumers of the potential effects.

Therefore, victims who have had Parkinson's disease deserve compensation for their injuries and losses. When you decide to file an individual lawsuit or join a mass tort for the product, you will need expert guidance. If you have developed Parkinson's disease from paraquat exposure, we invite you to contact us at Consumer Alert Now.

We will offer you more information regarding the relationship between paraquat and Parkinson's disease. Also, we can connect you with attorneys who deal with mass torts to help you seek compensation from manufacturers of paraquat. Call us today at 800-511-0747 to discuss the details of your situation.