Paraquat Lawsuit
Financial compensation may be available to farmers, agricultural workers, and others who were exposed to the weed killer paraquat and subsequently developed Parkinson’s disease or other serious illnesses. Paraquat is known to be highly toxic to humans and has been banned in dozens of countries because of the serious health risks associated with exposure to the weed killer. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to reregister paraquat for commercial use in the United States, a decision that puts farmworkers, landscapers, and other agricultural workers at great risk. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and you believe paraquat exposure to be the cause, do not hesitate to call our paraquat injury attorneys at Robert Brown Law for legal help. We have seen the devastation that prolonged paraquat exposure can cause, and we are here to help.
Potential Health Risks Associated with Paraquat
Paraquat dichloride is a powerful weed-killing herbicide that has been widely used in agricultural and non-agricultural settings in the U.S. for decades. Most commonly sold under the trade name Gramoxone, paraquat has become more and more popular in recent years, as weeds have become resistant to Roundup and concerns about the link between glyphosate (Roundup) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma have grown. When applied to farms and crops, paraquat is designed to kill weeds and grasses by inhibiting photosynthesis, which is required for plants to convert sunlight to chemical energy. As a weed killer, paraquat is highly effective, and the makers of the herbicide claim that it is safe for humans when used as directed. However, there is strong evidence of a link between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder in which nerve cell damage in the brain causes a drop in dopamine levels.
The exact cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknown. However, emerging research suggests that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, and recent studies have established a connection between the condition and exposure to chemicals in certain pesticides and herbicides, including paraquat. Paraquat exposure in humans is reported to trigger the degeneration of dopamine neurons in the brain and cause Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms, which may include the following:
- Tremor
- Stiff muscles
- Difficulty standing and walking
- Involuntary movements
- Problems with coordination
- Difficulty speaking
- Muscle rigidity
- Slow bodily movement
- Poor balance
Who is at Risk for Paraquat Exposure?
Despite considerable evidence indicating a serious risk to human health, paraquat is still available in the United States, albeit as a restricted-use pesticide, which means it can only be used by certified commercial applicators. However, even licensed applicators have not been properly informed about the potential for paraquat to cause Parkinson’s disease, even when used as intended. In addition to threatening the health and safety farmers and agricultural workers who work directly with paraquat, either by spraying, loading, or mixing the chemical, paraquat may also pose a risk to people who live near farms, orchards, and other areas where paraquat is sprayed, as the herbicide can drift from its intended application site to other locations.
The potential connection between ongoing exposure to paraquat and Parkinson’s disease is not insignificant. According to the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council, chronic exposure to paraquat may increase a person’s risk of developing the devastating neurological condition by as much as 200-600%. However, despite strong scientific evidence linking paraquat to Parkinson’s disease, the EPA made the decision in 2021 to reapprove paraquat as part of the agency’s registration review, which means the pesticide will remain on the market in the U.S. for at least the next 15 years. In response to the EPA’s highly controversial reapproval of paraquat, the Farmworker Association of Florida and other farmworker and environmental groups sued the agency, claiming that continued use of the weed killer violates the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. A representative of the Farmworker Association of Florida called it “unconscionable that EPA so devalues the lives of farmworkers as to allow the continued use of this harmful toxic pesticide.”
Paraquat Lawsuits Seek Compensation for Parkinson’s Disease Injuries
As we learn more about the myriad adverse health effects of paraquat exposure, manufacturers like Syngenta and Chevron face a growing number of product liability lawsuits claiming that paraquat causes Parkinson’s disease. Already, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has centralized more than 1,500 paraquat lawsuits filed in federal courts across the country in the Southern District of Illinois for coordinated pretrial proceedings, and hundreds, if not thousands, more lawsuits are expected. These paraquat lawsuits all involve similar allegations that paraquat increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease and that paraquat manufacturers failed to warn consumers about this serious human health risk.
People who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease allegedly as a result of paraquat exposure include farmers, agricultural workers, and people who lived in areas near where paraquat was sprayed. By pursuing legal claims against paraquat manufacturers like Syngenta and Chevron, victims and their loved ones aim to seek fair and timely compensation for the harm they have suffered and raise awareness about the dangers of exposure to paraquat. The first paraquat product liability lawsuit in the multidistrict litigation (MDL) is scheduled for November 2022.
Contact Robert Brown, Paraquat Lawyer, for Legal Help
Paraquat is an extremely potent chemical that may cause Parkinson’s disease in exposed individuals and is fatal if even the smallest amount is ingested, yet the herbicide remains on the market in the U.S. Paraquat-containing herbicides are made by many different manufacturers, including Syngenta and Chevron, and are sold under a variety of brand names, which means there are a number of companies that may be liable for paraquat lawsuit settlements. If you worked with paraquat or lived near a farm where paraquat was sprayed and have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other losses. Contact our skilled and compassionate product liability attorneys at Robert Brown Law today to discuss your options for legal recourse.