What You Need to Know About the Dangers of Paraquat.
What is Paraquat?
Paraquat is one of the most widely used herbicides in the United States. However, it also happens to be one of the most dangerous. Just one sip of Paraquat can kill an adult, and therefore pervasive use can pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of residents who live close to farms and agriculture.
Years of scientific research have supported and evidenced the dangers of Paraquat to human health. Even in low doses, exposure may lead to the development of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is a neurological movement disorder caused by nerve cell damage in the brain. A study found that depending on the overall number of years of exposure, people exposed to Paraquat at a young age had a 200 to 600 percent greater chance of developing Parkinson’s.
Also known by its trade name, Gramoxone, Paraquat has been banned in more than 60 countries. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has permitted its use in the United States and allowed producers to sell it to consumers largely without regulation and without disclosing the harmful, long-term side effects. Every fifteen years, all permitted herbicides are reviewed by the EPA to make sure they comply with federal safety standards. In 2017, the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council (UPAC) wrote a letter urging the EPA to deny the re-registration of Paraquat based on strong evidence that the herbicides harm human health. Although the evidence of the severe risk Paraquat poses to human health, the EPA re-approved its use of it in 2022.
One of the main producers of Paraquat, Syngenta, denies the evidence that there is a definite connection between Parkinson’s disease and their product. Even more, they failed to disclose the side effects, allowing consumers to unknowingly purchase a product that poses a life-threatening danger to their health. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and believe it to be the result of exposure to Paraquat, call us to learn about your legal rights as well as what steps can be taken to protect those rights. Although it can’t reverse the injustice that has occurred, compensation can help provide a better quality of life and hold the manufacturer responsible for their negligence.
Compensation for Paraquat Injuries
Who Manufactures Paraquat?
While various manufactures have held the rights to the product Paraquat overtime, the current manufacturer in the United States is Syngenta. Syngenta is a Swiss agrichemical company, who is owned by a Chinese corporation called ChemChina.
Even though years of scientific evidence have reinforced the link between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease, Syngenta has failed to adequately disclose the dangerous potential side effects of their product. This means that Syngenta can be held legally responsible for selling a dangerous product without a proper warning of the risks of use.
Gramoxone is another common name for Paraquat. However, there are a variety of additional products that contain paraquat as well, including:
- Gramoxone
- Ortho-Paraquat
- Devour
- Blanco
- Paraquat Concentrate
- Helmquat 3SL
- Bonedry
- Cyclone SL 2.0
- Firestorm
- Para-Shot 3.0
Who may qualify for a paraquat injury lawsuit?
Those who are directly exposed to paraquat are most at risk for developing paraquat poisoning, Parkinson’s disease, or developing severe and often fatal health problems. Those who live or work near farms or agricultural areas are the most vulnerable populations, primarily including:
- Farmers,
- Paraquat Applicators,
- Other Agricultural Workers,
- Residents living near farming communities, and
- Rural residents who consume well-water.
Paraquat is an aerosol, meaning it not only impacts the people using the product, but can contaminate the air and travel to other areas, potentially harming innocent bystanders and residents who are in a close vicinity to where the product was used. Although it has not been confirmed, it is also disputed whether people can be exposed to paraquat through food exposure. There is also evidence that consuming well-water can result in paraquat exposure.
What is my Paraquat Case Worth?
If you are loved one has suffered health problems as a result of paraquat exposure, you potentially may be able to recover financial damages for the following: compensation for past and future pain and suffering, medical expenses, cost for rehabilitation, future expenses, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, and wrongful death damages (if applicable). In a case where the negligent parties’ conduct was especially egregious, punitive damages may also be recovered.
Paraquat exposure can result in a variety of severe complications, ranging from swelling and burning of the throat, seizures, and even death. If you or someone you love has suffered from paraquat exposure, you will likely have hefty medicals bills, ranging over a long period of time. Medical bills can be especially burdensome, especially when diagnoses are not found immediately. Initial steps to obtain a diagnosis often require MRI’s, blood tests, CT scans, other diagnostic imaging, doctor visits, transport costs, or emergency room or hospital treatment. Even with a degree of insurance coverage, these expenses are lofty, and can add up fast.
When a large corporation’s negligence causes injury, that corporation should be held responsible for their medical expenses, lost wages and other damages. To secure compensation for your financial losses, including future medical costs, contact an experienced injury attorney at Montlick & Associates now, to see if you can file a paraquat injury lawsuit or claim.
How much does an Attorney Cost?
You may be wondering how much it will cost to hire a paraquat injury attorney. At Montlick and Associates, Injury Attorneys, we work for you on a contingency fee basis. That means there is no fee unless you win, and there are no upfront, out-of-pocket costs to you.* We take care of all of the legal and litigation expenses, so you can focus on your health while we fight to get you the financial recovery you deserve. We also provide a completely free consultation,through our online Case Evaluation form, or by calling us at 1-800-LAW-NEED® (1-800-529-6333). If we are fortunate enough to have you as a client, your recovery is our first priority.
How do you know if you are at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease?
Residents who are farmworkers or live near farmland have the highest risk of developing Parkinson’s disease because they are most likely to be exposed. Paraquat is an aerosol-based product; when the product is used in a windy area, it can contaminate the air and drift into areas outside of where the herbicide was used. This can cause exposure to other residents of surrounding agriculture and farmlands.
However, since the severe side effects of the product were not disclosed on the warning label, users of the product have been unknowingly exposing themselves to toxic chemicals for years and putting themselves at high risk for Parkinson’s.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the most common early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:
- Tremor,
- Slowness of movement,
- Rigid muscles,
- Loss of coordination and balance,
- Loss of automatic movements,
- Speech changes,
- Writing changes,
- Stooping posture,
- Dizziness or fainting, and
- Muscle twisting, spasms, or cramps.
Do you have paraquat poisoning?
Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide. Even brief exposure can cause poisoning, but long-term exposure leads to a high risk of developing permanent, more severe conditions, including Parkinson’s disease.
Immediate side effects of experiencing paraquat poisoning can include:
- Burning throat pain,
- Nausea,
- Abdominal pain,
- Vomiting, including vomiting blood,
- Diarrhea, which may include blood, and
- Seizure.
If you are experiencing these severe symptoms, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. You may be entitled to receive financial damages if you have suffered from paraquat poisoning, including compensation for medical expenses, lost income, disability, pain and suffering, and more. Our experienced paraquat lawyers are here to help. Call Montlick Injury Attorneys for a free case evaluation, at no risk to you.
We Know What It Takes To Win!®
If you have been injured or lost a family member because of any defective product, contact Montlick & Associates, Injury Attorneys, for your free consultation today. Our law firm has been representing injured clients and their families for over 39 years. Our trial attorneys have recovered billions of dollars for our clients through negotiated settlements, litigation/lawsuits, settlement of lawsuits, jury verdicts, mediation, and arbitration awards.
Please visit our read Montlick Injury Attorneys to see what our clients have to say about our commitment to exceptional service.
Sources: https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/parkinsons-groups-call-ban-herbicide-linked-pd
Sources: https://www.healthline.com/health/paraquat-poisoning
* *Note: State Bar required disclosure: “No fee unless you win or collect” refers only to fees charged by the attorney. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client. Contingent fees are not permitted in all types of cases. However, our law firm will not charge clients fees or expenses unless we obtain compensation for them.
