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Paraquat Lawsuit

Paraquat Lawsuit

Numerous studies have linked Paraquat, a commercial weed killer, to Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is an incurable neurological disease that kills nerve cells in the brain, leading to impaired brain function and movement.

Victims claim the manufacturers of Paraquat failed to warn the public about the dangers of using the product. If you or someone you love developed Parkinson’s disease from using Paraquat, you can file a lawsuit that will compensate you for lost wages and medical bills. 

Filing a claim against Paraquat’s manufacturer could also encourage other manufacturers in the herbicide industry to test their products thoroughly before selling them.

The Guardian Legal Network can help you find a qualified legal professional who can help you take legal action and guide you through the legal process.

What is Paraquat?

Paraquat is a toxic herbicide widely-used for weed and grass control. It is available in liquid form in several different strengths in the United States. The product is classified as a “restricted use pesticide” by the FDA. This means that it can only be used by a licensed applicator. Because Paraquat is highly poisonous, it has a blue dye that keeps consumers from confusing the herbicide with other beverages. It also has a secondary chemical agent that will induce vomiting if someone drinks it by accident, along with a sharp odor to serve as a warning. These safeguards are not included outside of the United States.

In 1961, Paraquat was produced for commercial use to kill over 100 different types of crops. It remains one of the most frequently used herbicides in the world. A person can be poisoned by Paraquat if their skin is accidentally exposed to the chemicals or through accidental ingestion. If a concentrated version of it is used or a person is exposed to it for long periods, poisoning is more likely to occur. It can also poison a person through a rash, cuts, or sores on their skin. Lung damage can occur if Paraquat is inhaled.

When Paraquat enters the body, it is distributed evenly throughout a person’s system. The liver, lungs, kidneys, and other body parts can undergo toxic chemical reactions.

Switzerland-based Syngenta ironically produced the product even though the country banned the use of the Paraquat in 1989. Thirty-two countries have banned Paraquat, but the United States has not.

Paraquat Linked to Parkinson’s Disease

The National Institute of Health (NIH) conducted a study in 2011 that comprised of 80,000 agricultural workers and farmers. Compared to the general population, the study showed that agricultural workers had an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. A DNA study and other research further validated this link.

This evidence alone prompted many countries to ban Paraquat. Licensed applicators are the only people who are allowed to use Paraquat in the United States. People who likely suffered injuries due to toxic exposure include:

  • Workers who entered fields after the herbicide was applied
  • People applying the product
  • Bystanders who were exposed to drifting spray

Parkinson’s disease is the most common injury associated with Paraquat usage. It is a nervous system disorder that debilitates over 60,000 Americans each year.

Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease Include:

  • Tremors – Also known as shaking, tremors begin in a limb such as a person’s hand or fingers. Pill-rolling tremors are when a person rubs their forefinger and thumb back and forth. When a person’s hand is at rest, it may also tremor.
  • Bradykinesia (slowed movement) – Parkinson’s disease will hinder a person’s movement over time, making simple tasks time-consuming and more difficult than they once were. When a person walks, they may find that their steps become shorter. Getting out of a chair may be more difficult. Feet dragging can also occur when a person tries to walk.
  • Stiff Muscles – Muscle rigidness can occur on any part of a person’s body and can limit the range of motion and be painful.
  • Impaired Balance and Posture – A person may have balance problems or have a stooped posture.
  • Decreased Ability to Perform Automatic Movements – A person can have a reduced ability to swing their arms when walking and difficulty smiling and blinking unconsciously.
  • Changes in Speech: A person may hesitate before talking. They may also slur their words or speak quickly or softly. Their speech could also appear more monotone.
  • Writing Changes: A person’s writing may appear small, or they may have difficulty writing.

Who Is at Risk of Paraquat Exposure?

The EPA did not find any dietary risks concerning Paraquat when used according to the label’s directions. A 2019 draft human health risk assessment identified potential risks to workers who entered fields treated with Paraquat or regularly used it. The product may have also poisoned innocent bystanders who were exposed to spray drift.

Exposure to Paraquat

Paraquat exposure can occur in many different ways, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  • The most likely route of exposure is through ingestion, which will lead to poisoning.
  • The herbicide can easily be mixed with beverages and food. If the herbicide being used does not contain dye safeguards, odor safeguards, or a vomiting agent, people may ingest it by mistake. Eating or drinking food or beverages that contain Paraquat will lead to poisoning.
  • Paraquat poisoning can also occur through skin exposure if a person’s skin has a sore, a cut, or a rash.
  • Lung damage can occur if Paraquat is inhaled. Batches of marijuana in the U.S. contained Paraquat in the past, and smoking it can lead to poisoning.

The people who are most at risk of exposure to the herbicide are licensed applicators. Since the year 2000, many deaths were linked to accidental exposure and ingestion of Paraquat. The EPA took some steps in 2016 to prevent poisoning caused by exposure and ingestion of the product.

Risks and Side Effects of Using Paraquat

If someone ingests large amounts of Paraquat, they are more likely to experience immediate swelling and pain of the throat and mouth. Other warning signs of illness include bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain, nausea, or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

More severe gastrointestinal symptoms could lead to low blood pressure, electrolyte abnormalities, and dehydration.

Even if small or medium amounts of Paraquat are ingested, side effects such as lung scarring, liver failure, kidney failure, and heart failure can occur.

People who ingest large amounts of the product may experience other symptoms and signs within a few hours to a few days, including:

  • Seizures
  • Respiratory failure, which could lead to death
  • Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
  • Muscle weakness
  • Lung scarring (which occurs when small or medium amounts of Paraquat have been ingested)
  • Liver failure
  • Heart injury
  • Fast heart rate
  • Coma
  • Acute kidney failure

Filing a Paraquat Lawsuit

Herbicide manufacturers are responsible for providing safe products that are not dangerous or defective. The manufacturer must include adequate warnings on the labels of their products if there are dangerous risks associated with the use of their herbicides.

If the manufacturer does not fulfill this duty of care, it could be held accountable for any injuries a person sustains due to using the product.

People who experienced injuries after they used or were exposed to Paraquat could recover money for the following:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Suffering and pain
  • Lost wages
  • Funeral expenses (Money can be recovered for funeral costs, as well as the pain a loved one will experience as a result of losing a person they cared about)

Victims will need an experienced Paraquat lawyer to help them hold these negligent manufacturers responsible for their actions.

Claims Made Against Paraquat Manufacturers

Over the years, several claims were made against Syngenta and Chevron Chemical, including:

  • Knew or should have known about Paraquat’s toxicity and should also have been aware that users exposed to Paraquat for long periods could develop Parkinson’s disease.
  • Did not inform the public about the dangers that Paraquat posed to anyone exposed to it
  • Steps were not taken to ensure that users were kept safe
  • The product was negligently marketed and designed

Contact a Paraquat Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love was exposed to Paraquat and developed signs of Parkinson’s disease or already have Parkinson’s disease, your legal rights may have been violated. 

The Guardian Legal Network can help you find legal representation for your case. Fill out an online contact form or give us a call at (833) 498-2072 to learn about taking legal action.

References

Please seek the advice of a medical professional before making health care decisions. The content provided on this site, such as documents, text, graphics, images, videos, or other materials, are for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition or for any questions you may have regarding a health concern. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this site.

 
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