Paraquat is a popular chemical herbicide used heavily in the U.S. agricultural industry since the 1960s. Unfortunately, paraquat is also highly toxic to humans. In fact, it’s so dangerous that only licensed applicators are allowed to use it.
In recent years, paraquat has been linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative nervous system disorder that causes tremors and impairs movement. The condition worsens with time, and there is no cure.
Farmers, landscapers, applicators, agricultural workers, and their family members are now filing lawsuits alleging that the makers of paraquat knew the product was dangerous and failed to warn them of the risks. If you or a loved one is living with Parkinson’s disease after using paraquat, you may be entitled to compensation.
Talk to a paraquat lawsuit lawyer at Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons today. For over 30 years, our law firm has provided one-on-one attention to injured people throughout Oklahoma. Though there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, you can rely on our attorneys to fight aggressively to hold the manufacturers accountable for the irreparable harm they caused. When it’s all said and done, you deserve money to manage your medical expenses and provide financial security for the future.
Call or contact us today to learn whether you might have grounds to file a paraquat Parkinson’s disease lawsuit. The first consultation is free.
The Link Between Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease
Numerous studies indicate that paraquat triggers oxidative stress, a condition characterized by an excess of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable atoms that can damage cells and DNA and may lead to several illnesses, including Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers say the oxidative stress caused by paraquat exposure damages the area of the brain that produces dopamine, a chemical that works with other neurotransmitters to control movement. A decline in dopamine levels contributes to Parkinson’s disease.
Long-Term Side Effects of Paraquat Usage
Exposure to paraquat typically occurs through ingestion, or swallowing it. However, damage can also come from inhaling it or through skin exposure.
Parkinson’s disease is not the only harmful side effect of paraquat exposure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), paraquat can also cause toxic reactions throughout the body.
Long-term exposure, especially in large amounts, can cause damage to the:
- Mouth lining and throat
- Esophagus (food pipe)
- Abdominal linings
- Stomach
- Intestines
- Heart
- Lungs
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Brain
Within hours or days, exposure to a large amount of paraquat can lead to:
- Muscle weakness
- Seizures
- Coma
- Confusion
- Kidney failure
- Respiratory failure
- Heart damage
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, even a small sip of paraquat could be fatal. For that reason, various additives are mixed in to prevent accidental ingestion and induce vomiting. However, paraquat imported from outside the U.S. may not have these protections. There is no antidote once paraquat enters the body.
Who Is At Risk of Parkinson’s Disease from Paraquat Exposure?
A variety of people are at great risk of developing Parkinson’s disease from paraquat. These people include:
- Licensed applicators
- Farmers
- Growers
- Pickers
- Laborers
- Groundskeepers
- Family members of agricultural workers
- Residents who live near farms that use paraquat
Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
Parkinson’s disease is first characterized by small tremors. As the disease progresses, patients suffer from additional problems, including:
- Slowed movement (bradykinesia)
- Muscle stiffness
- Stooped posture
- Balance problems
- Changes to automatic movements like blinking or smiling
- Speech impairment
- Involuntary muscle movements (dystonia)
- Difficulty writing
- Voice changes
- Loss of smell
- Depression and mental health problems
- Pain
- Sleep disturbance and fatigue
- Constipation
- Weight loss
Paraquat Lawsuits
Parkinson’s disease lawsuits against Syngenta, one maker of paraquat, began in 2016. According to the company’s most recent financial report, litigation began in Illinois, California, and Missouri. Other complaints have been filed against Chevron Corp. and Growmark, the other leading manufacturers of paraquat products in the United States. These claims, where numerous people were harmed by one or more defendants, are called mass torts.
Recently, multiple paraquat lawsuits were consolidated into multi-district litigation (MDL). This centralizes the cases in the federal court system so that one U.S. District Judge oversees all of them. The purpose of this procedure is to save time by organizing the process and avoiding conflicting rulings from other state courts.
When a person’s case is consolidated into an MDL, their case will still be tried before a jury and settled individually. This is different from a class-action lawsuit, where one lawsuit is filed on behalf of every person who has suffered the same type of injury.
Because paraquat lawsuits can be complicated, it’s wise to talk to an experienced paraquat lawyer about how the facts of your case apply to the current litigation.
Other Trade Names for Paraquat
Syngenta’s Gramoxone SL 2.0 Herbicide is one of the trade names for products containing paraquat. You may also have been exposed to products sold under these names:
- Blanco
- Devour
- Firestorm
- Helmquat
- Ortho-Paraquat
- Para-SHOT
- Parazone
- Quick-Quat
Types of Compensation You Can Recover in a Paraquat Lawsuit
The treatment costs for Parkinson’s disease patients can be astronomical. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, medications alone can cost as much as $2,500 per year. Surgical costs can be as high as $100,000 per person.
The debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease also mean that patients may stop working, retire early, and require the help of paid caregivers. All of these losses can contribute to significant financial hardships.
In a successful paraquat lawsuit, you can recover compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and benefits
- Lost earning potential
- Costs related to ongoing care, such as round-the-clock nursing and assistive medical equipment
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
- Lost enjoyment of life
In addition, it may be possible to recover punitive damages against the responsible party. This money is awarded to “punish” the defendant for particularly reckless conduct and deter similar acts in the future.
Contact a Paraquat Lawsuit Attorney in Oklahoma Today
As a consumer, you have the right to expect that the products you buy are safe. When a company violates that trust by selling a defective product or failing to warn you of its dangers, they’ve acted negligently. With the help of a personal injury lawyer, you can and should hold them accountable for their negligence.
At Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons, we fight to make things right. If you or a family member was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after exposure to paraquat, call or contact us now for a free consultation with an Oklahoma paraquat attorney.
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